The Peking Acrobats will be performing at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts on Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. The event will showcase a variety of Chinese acrobatic performances such as balancing and contortion.

Chinese teacher Tungfen Lee said experiencing live performances allows individuals to learn about culture through a different perspective, rather than only through books.

“Students and community members can feel the rhythm and share the energy of the tradition, understand how Chinese culture is practiced socially, rather than just described in books,” Lee said. 

Sophomore Amy Luo, who is taking Chinese language courses at this school and also takes Chinese dance classes, said these types of events can spread different traditions through society.

“The community can have a better understanding of different countries and their culture, and how they celebrate so you can create a diverse community,” Luo said.

Lee said she agreed with Luo’s sentiment.

“Hosting international cultural performances lets the Carmel community experience diverse cultural traditions firsthand,” Lee said. “It promotes understanding, curiosity and connection between different cultures.”

Sophomore Hannah Li said she felt it was important for communities to experience other cultural performances.

“If communities stay closeted and isolated, they miss out on the chance to experience real diversity,” Li said. “Hosting cultural performances reminds us that we’re not the only community out there and that there’s more to learn from each other.”

Lee said these types of live performances can have a large and meaningful impact on the community.

“The most important lesson a cultural performance can teach a community is the value of cultural awareness and inclusion,” Lee said. “By experiencing traditions firsthand, people learn to appreciate differences and respect the diverse perspectives of all cultures.”

Luo said these types of community events help her feel connected to the bigger world.

“Events like this help communities feel more connected to the wider world. When people from different backgrounds see their cultures represented and appreciated, it builds understanding,” Luo said. “Inviting performers from another country tells people that the community is interested in learning from others.”