Taking the Stage Together　　

　　When Mathias Kavita was 13 in 1983, he had never heard about acrobatics. A trip by the young gymnast along- side 23 other teenagers to the Chinese embassy in Kenya’s capital Nairobi introduced him to the field after he watched a film about it.

　　The encounter marked the beginning of Kavita’s journey with acrobatics as weeks later, the 24 youths made their maiden trip to China to train as acrobats. This was after Kenyan officials teamed up with their Chinese counterparts to send the children for acrobatics training in China as pioneers in the art.

　　In two years, Kavita learned the ropes that made him a top trainer in Kenya. He also very quickly took to Chinese language and culture at the troupe.

　　He said he is proud of training more than 1,000 acrobats to perform in shows across the world. “My training in China was instrumental because it made me an inter- national performer and a good teacher of acrobatics,” he said.

　　Today, the seasoned performer is a major part of Kenya’s acrobatics scene and regularly trains youngsters at Sarakasi Dome in Nairobi.

　　1983年，24名肯尼亚青少年经选拔前往广州杂技团学习杂技，为期两年，13岁的Mathias Kavita（马迪尔斯，小黑）为其中之一。或许他不曾想到，40年前的中国之行改变了他的一生，也使得杂技在肯尼亚发展壮大起来。如今，小黑已经是肯尼亚顶尖水平的杂技教练，培养了一千多名学生。

　　对许多肯尼亚年轻人来说，杂技是热爱的事业，也是谋生手段，更是将他们的人生与中国相连结的纽带。如今53岁的小黑，愿望是回广州杂技团看看，延续这个项目，在肯尼亚也建一所杂技学校。2023年正值中肯建交60周年，小黑的经历是两国友谊和交流的缩影。

　　Acrobats practice juggling at the Sarakasi Dome arena in Nairobi, Kenya, on Oct 3.

　　2023年10月3日，杂技演员在肯尼亚内罗毕圆顶剧场练习杂技。

　　Young acrobats practice moves at Sarakasi Dome in Nairobi on Oct 21.

　　2023年10月21日，小杂技演员在肯尼亚内罗毕圆顶剧场练习杂技动作。

　　Acrobats pose for a group photo after completing a training session at the Sarakasi Dome arena in Nairobi, Kenya, on Oct 3.

　　2023年10月3日，杂技演员在肯尼亚内罗毕圆顶剧场完成训练后合影。

　　Grace, 7, learns acrobatics at Sarakasi Dome in Nairobi, Kenya, on Oct 21.

　　2023年10月21日，7岁的格蕾丝在肯尼亚内罗毕圆顶剧场学习杂技。

　　Acrobats perform on stage during a show themed “Haunted Circus” at Sarakasi Dome in Nairobi, Kenya, on Oct 27.

　　2023年10月27日，肯尼亚内罗毕圆顶剧场，杂技演员在舞台上表演万圣节主题演出。

　　Mathias Kavita (right) instructs acrobats building a human pyramid at their training area in Nairobi, Kenya, on Oct 3.

　　2023年10月3日，肯尼亚内罗毕，教练马迪尔斯·卡维塔（右）在训练场指导杂技演员搭建人形金字塔。

　　Kavita (front) demonstrates acrobatic feats for his student, at the Sarakasi Dome arena, Nairobi, Kenya, on Oct 3.

　　2023年10月3日，肯尼亚内罗毕圆顶剧场，教练马迪尔斯·卡维塔（前）在训练场地为杂技演员示范动作。

　　Kavita shows his diploma at his office at the Sarakasi Dome arena, Nairobi, Kenya, on Sept 21.

　　2023年9月21日，马迪尔斯·卡维塔在肯尼亚内罗毕圆顶剧场的办公室展示广州杂技团结业证书。