The original song-and-dance drama "Spring breezes bring green to Kekeya" was staged at the National Theater of the China Ethnic Song and Dance Ensemble in Beijing on Thursday. The performance chronicles Aksu's 40-year campaign against desertification, celebrating the enduring spirit of ecological restoration in the region.

Dancers perform a dramatic ensemble scene against a desert-themed multimedia backdrop during the staging of "Spring breezes bring green to Kekeya" at the National Theater of the China Ethnic Song and Dance Ensemble. (Photo provided to the People's Daily)

Kekeya, located in Wensu county, Aksu Prefecture, sits on the northern fringe of Northwest China's Taklimakan Desert in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Once a wasteland plagued by severe dust storms and encroaching dunes, the area reached a turning point in 1986 with the launch of the Kekeya Desert Greening Project. Over the past four decades, generations of residents have transformed millions of mu (1mu≈0.067 hectares) of arid land into thriving green oases.

Following its initial premiere in Aksu in January 2025, the musical has toured more than 20 times in different cities across Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Zhejiang Province, earning widespread critical acclaim. Through striking choreography, atmospheric set designs, and cinematic soundscapes, the production offers a faithful retelling of the historic ecological campaign.

Dancers in flowing red gowns perform during a vibrant segment of the song-and-dance drama "Spring breezes bring green to Kekeya" in Beijing. (Photo provided to the People's Daily)

The performance blends diverse artistic disciplines, combining traditional ethnic dance and poetic recitations with immersive, multimedia stage lighting. Ultimately, the musical serves as a heartfelt tribute to the people of Aksu and their decades-long dedication to sustainable ecological development.