– Indigenous Australian contemporary dance 'Spirit' is presented with Rio Tinto’s support –
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – Mongolian audiences were presented with Australian culture through the breathtaking contemporary dance perfomance of 'Spirit', by Bangarra Dance Theater. Set to an evocative musical soundscape by David Page and Steve Francis, Spirit weaves contemporary dance and theatre into the storytelling of Australia’s indigenous people. From the last breath of sunset to the first finger-light of dawn, the audience experiences a powerful engagement with Bangarra’s stunning indigenous performers.
The work is a bush galaxy of poetic imagery and stories that make up Australia’s Indigenous history – ranging from the comic mimicry of stick spirits; to the power of rocks and land formations; to the ritual and medicine of fresh water; and the transformation of a caterpillar into a moth. Spirit embraces all the diversities and inspirations that come from living from the land.
The Chairman of the Arts Council of Mongolia and the Honorary Artist of the People of Mongolia, Mr.Jantsannorov said: “It is our special privilege that we have seen the Bangarra performance. These stories about the power of fire, spring water and clouds of smoke have survived from the native forefathers of Australia and have been passed down to this present and modern time”. An audience member from the show’s second night, said. “I am very impressed with how dance can express aboriginal life activities and how esthetically their rituals and events are presented".
Rio Tinto was delighted to be approached by the Arts Council of Mongolia to support this event. In recognition of the 40th Anniversary of Australian and Mongolian relations, Rio Tinto, as manager of Oyu Tolgoi project, is contributing to the celebration of this successful international partnership by supporting a unique cultural exchange between Mongolia and Australia.
Bangarra Dance Theatre was founded in 1989 and has been under the leadership of Stephen Page since 1991. Producing 110 performances annually, Bangarra have built a strong international reputation. They have performed in 16 major cities of the USA, Paris, London, Monaco, and throughout Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Japan, Korea, China, and Hong Kong. Bangarra performed at the Mongolian State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet for two nights.
About Oyu Tolgoi LLC (http://en.ot.mn/)
Oyu Tolgoi LLC is Mongolia's largest copper and gold mining company and is a strategic partnership between the Government of Mongolia (34 per cent stake), Turquoise Hill Resources (66 per cent) and Rio Tinto. Rio Tinto is the major shareholder in Turquoise Hill Resources and the manager of the Oyu Tolgoi project. In addition to dividends from its 34 per cent stake in Oyu Tolgoi, the Government of Mongolia will receive taxes and royalties.
Oyu Tolgoi, located in the Gobi desert in southern Mongolia, will be one of the largest and highest-grade copper and gold mines in the world. It is the largest project ever developed in Mongolia, requiring a capital investment for phase 1 of more than US$6 billion.
Oyu Tolgoi is committed to contributing to a sustainable future for Mongolia. At least 9 out of 10 employees will be Mongolian once the mine is in production and Oyu Tolgoi is investing US$58 million dollars (78 billion MNT) in training and education and an additional US$27 million dollars (36 billion MNT) in the Workforce Employment Project designed to help address the general skills shortage in Mongolia
Oyu Tolgoi's key priorities are the health and safety of employees, best-practice environmental management, contributing to sustainable communities and always doing business with integrity, for the benefit of all the project's shareholders and the people of Mongolia.
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