A brief introduction to Zhang Jigang’s life

Zhang Jigang was born in Liangdian Street, Yuci. He began to engage in dance art at the age of twelve and served as an actor, principal actor, dance director, and dance team leader at the Shanxi Opera House. Graduated from the Choreography Department of Beijing Dance Academy in 1990; later he stayed at the school to teach and served as the second-level choreographer of the Chinese Folk Dance Department. In 1992, he was transferred to the Song and Dance Ensemble of the General Political Department and served successively as deputy leader, leader, and deputy director of the Propaganda Department of the General Political Affairs Department. In 2008, he served as the dean of the People's Liberation Army Art Academy. In April 2012, he was appointed deputy director of the Political Department of the Armed Police. Promoted to the rank of major general in July 2008. National first-level director; deputy chief director of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, executive director of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Paralympic Games; chief director of the large-scale music and dance epic "Road to Renaissance" for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in 2009.

He began to engage in dance art at the age of 12. He served as an actor, principal actor, dance director, and dance team leader in the Shanxi Provincial Song and Dance Theater.

He began to engage in dance creation at the age of 17, and won the first national medal and the highest national award in the history of Shanxi dance circles with his independent or collaborative works.

In 1987, the large-scale folk song and dance series "Yellow River Children's Love" co-completed with others became a sensation at home and abroad. For this reason, the Shanxi Provincial Government awarded him special merit once and first-class merit once. In the same year, he entered the choreography department of Beijing Dance Academy without taking the examination.

Graduated from the Choreography Department of Beijing Dance Academy in 1990; he later stayed at the school to teach and served as the second-level choreographer of the Chinese Folk Dance Department.

In 1992, he was transferred to the Song and Dance Ensemble of the General Political Department of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. He was awarded second-class merit once and third-class merit three times.

In 1994, he served as the chief director of large-scale group gymnastics and successfully completed the creation and performance of "We Are Together" for the opening ceremony of the Far Southern Games. At the same time, he also created more than 30 acrobatic works such as the ballet "Swan of the East", the women's springboard "Daughter's Red", the bowl "Fan Bone", and the soft steel wire "Sky".

In July 2003, he was appointed as the leader of the Song and Dance Troupe of the General Political Department.

In 2006, he served as deputy minister of the General Political Department and Propaganda Department.

In May 2006, he was selected as the deputy chief director of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic Games. He was mainly responsible for the choreography and directing of the first half of the Olympic opening ceremony.

In 2008, he served as the dean of the People's Liberation Army Art Academy.

In 2009, he was the chief director of the large-scale music and dance epic "Road to Renaissance" for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

In 2011, he served as the general director of Yan Weiwen's 2011 large-scale solo concert "Gun N' Roses" and carefully created the theme song of the same name "Gun N' Roses" for the concert.

In April 2012, he was appointed deputy director of the Political Department of the Armed Police.