If you’ve never heard of the Yi people, one of China’s ethnic groups, you’ll soon have the chance to learn about them in São Paulo. From November 22 to 26, 2026, the Latin American Memorial will host “Eastern Azalea – The Yi People and the Living Memory of China.” A first for Brazil, the Wucai Yunxia company’s production will stop in São Paulo as part of a major tour of Latin America.
Discover “Eastern Azalea – The Yi People and the Living Memory of China”
The title comes from the azalea, a flower that blooms in the mountains of Liangshan, where a large part of the Yi population lives. The flower is a symbol of the local culture and drives the narrative that follows the life of a Yi woman. The audience will be able to follow her entire journey from birth to old age, through childhood, love, and motherhood.
The 26 performers use dance, song, physical theater, traditional music, and visual projections. The embroidered costumes combine black, red, yellow, and silver, and come to life under the lighting. In addition, the soundtrack features ancestral chants, instruments such as the mouth harp, and references to the ritual music of the Bimoist priests, who are connected to the spiritual practices of the Yi people.
Thus, the show is more than just entertainment: it demonstrates how language, rituals, embroidery, and symbols keep cultural memory alive in everyday life.
Chinese theater company wins international award
Wucai Yunxia means “Colorful Clouds.” The group is part of the Liangshan Cultural Tourism Group and focuses on the performing arts, the preservation of intangible cultural heritage, and international exchange.
The company has previously performed at the 54th Venice Biennale, the Holland Festival in the Netherlands, and the 25th edition of the Carthage Theater Festival in Tunisia. It has also been invited to the Sibiu International Theater Festival in Romania and participated in the China Theater Festival.
📍 Where: Simón Bolívar Auditorium, Latin American Memorial—Avenida Mário de Andrade, 664—Barra Funda
📆 When: November 22–26, 2026
⏰ Time: Sunday through Thursday, starting at 8:00
p.m. 🎟️ Tickets: Starting at R$ 95
🇨🇳 More information: Check out the social media pages for the show “Eastern Azalea”
