The weeklong exhibition, with installations, photos, graphics, music and performances, showcases the development and achievement of Chinese ethnic folk dance at the Beijing Dance Academy since it was established in 1954. [Photo provided to China Daily]

One of the largest installations has veils falling down from the high ceiling. Videos of Chinese ethnic dances are projected on the veils while students dance in the veils.

"Usually dancers perform onstage in theaters and a gap exists between the dancers and audiences. But the exhibition breaks the conventional gap. Dancers perform with visitors walking around," says Jia Siyue, who graduated from the Chinese ethnic folk dance department of Beijing Dance Academy in 2018 and has been working with the university.