This initiative, part of the Year of the Horse celebrations, aims to establish dance as a bridge between immigrant communities. The collaboration, announced this week in Newark, will culminate in the world premiere of a new choreographic work.
The performance will take place on February 14 and 15 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), featuring Portuguese folklore, contemporary Chinese dance, and elements of Mongolian tradition, all in celebration of the Lunar New Year through a joint artistic creation.
The new work is being developed by Miguel Veloso, artistic director of the Rancho Camponeses do Minho—folkloric group within the Sport Club Português de Newark—alongside Greta Campo, artistic director of the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, and resident choreographers Lawrence Jin and Ying Shi. According to the organization, this creation has been specifically designed for this celebration and the NJPAC stage, one of New Jersey’s major cultural centers.
The performance marks the Year of the Horse, a symbol that transcends cultures and serves as the conceptual core of the choreography. In Chinese tradition, the horse represents vitality, perseverance, and the “Spirit of the Yellow River.” In Portugal, it is symbolized by the Lusitano horse, often associated with elegance, strength, and expressiveness.
Additionally, the work incorporates the equestrian symbolism of traditional Mongolian dance, characterized by galloping rhythms, wide gestures, and a strong connection to the nomadic cultures of northern China.
The choreography combines the rhythmic, firm footwork typical of Minhoto folklore with the fluidity, expansiveness, and energy of contemporary Chinese dance. This fusion aims to create a new artistic language that honors the roots of each tradition while exploring common points of contact and symbolism.
The organization emphasizes that the project reflects centuries of historical ties between Portugal and China, particularly through Macau, showcasing how this cultural exchange continues to inspire contemporary artistic creation beyond Europe and Asia. In Newark, a city with a strong presence of Portuguese, Chinese, and other immigrant communities, the collaboration also carries social significance.
“This collaboration celebrates the common heartbeat that connects the neighborhoods of Newark,” stated Andy Chiang, executive director of the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, adding that the goal is to create an inclusive artistic language that reflects the city’s diversity. Jack Costa, president of the Board of Directors of the Sport Club Português de Newark, noted that the partnership “honors the Portuguese heritage while embracing the local multicultural richness.”
Miguel Veloso emphasized that celebrating the Year of the Horse through dance allows for “a story of strength, movement, and shared memory,” linking Portugal, China, and the diverse immigrant voices that shape Newark.
