"I followed the troupe to stage in Hunan and other places around China. Last week, we performed Swan Lake in Yueyang," Ida said during an interview recently.

 
Ida came to Changsha from Finland, joining the Hunan Youth Ballet Theatre in March 2025. "I never feel lonely here. The enthusiasm and friendship of the people in this city make me feel welcomed."

Ida in a rehearsal. (Photo provided by the interviewee)

Learning that Ida would go to work in a dance troupe in China, her family and friends were worried. "They worried about the language, and feared that I would have no social life or friends in China. However, my parents supported my decision, encouraging me to pursue my dream bravely." When she arrived in Changsha, she felt nervous and strange. She said she soon found that her worries were unnecessary.

Bellet is a "universal language" of Ida to be assimilated into Changsha. "Body language has not national boundaries. It is a universal expression understandable around the world," Ida said. The international atmosphere of the Hunan Youth Ballet Theatre makes Ida feel warm. The dancers are from different countries, commuting with each other in English. "The most important thing for a group dance is teamwork spirit and synchronization. I often play four different roles in a single performance. Though challenging, I fell a strong sense of achievement," she said.

What touched Ida the most is the enthusiasm and sincerity of the Changsha audience. The interactions after every performance are precious moments for her to connect with the audience. "The audience express their appreciation with applause. Sometimes I make response in Chinese I've just learned, like 'Xie Xie Da Jia (thank you)' and 'Ni Men Ye Hen Bang (you're also great).' They are pleasantly surprised, and applaud even more passionately," said Ida. These sincere interactions filled her with motivation in every performance, and allowed her to truly feel the charm of art transcending nations.

Ida in a rehearsal. (Photo provided by the interviewee)
  

When she came to Changsha, she felt like a traveler in a strange city. She could not get assimilated into the local life due to the cultural gap. One day, a colleague happened to mention that "there's a German bakery in Changsha." Ida, being of German blood, was thrilled and immediately asked for the address. "I am almost unable to wait to dash over there," she said.

The bakery's owner is from Germany, and most of the staff are hearing-impaired. The shop offers familiar flavors from Ida's hometown. "I felt warm when hearing German, as if the city suddenly becomes a home."

Now, Ida has fully adapted to the pace of life in Changsha. She has expanded her social circle, making many new friends in cafes, subway stations, and concerts. She has fallen in love with the city's vitality and diversity. Fresh fruits and delicious food give her great culinary satisfaction. In her spare time, she occasionally returns to hobbies such as painting and playing the piano, from which she can draw inspiration for her dance creations.

"In Changsha, I am alone but never lonely," she smiled. Though far from her hometown, she doesn't feel lonely because of the people around her are so friendly, and easy to get along with, she said.

Ida is brimming with expectation for the future. "As a ballet dancer, I hope that my dance will be acceptable for Chinese audience, and I can share with them the joy of dancing with them." Next, she plans to learn Chinese systematically, as well as Chinese ethnic dances and Tai Chi, to deeply experience the charm of Chinese culture.

"People are essentially interconnected in emotions, expectations, and dreams, wherever they are." From Finland to Changsha, Ida has found the intersection of art and life in the twirls of her ballet shoes, and she will continue writing her own stories of China with her graceful dance steps.

This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Pang Yuehui

Chinese source: Chinanews