Transcending Borders

正Guangzhou Opera House’s original performance boasts an international cast and crew In 2015,Zhang Li,Chairman of the Guangzhou Opera House,had an idea to create a new original opera.After many discussions,the opera house settled on a work about Marco Polo,the historical Italian traveler who represents the cultural exchanges between East and West."As a cultural landmark in Guangzhou,we     

Embracing Traditional Operas

正Traditional Chinese operas are an important part of China’s intangible cultural heritage,including well-known genres such as Peking Opera,Kunqu Opera and Cantonese Opera.Among them,Peking Opera has greatly outperformed others in terms of recognition abroad.Some foreigners not only travel to China to watch it,but also to pick up some of the opera’s performance techniques.     

Kunqu:Humankind''''s Common Cultural Heritage

IN May 2001, UNESCO forthe first time awarded thetitle of "Masterpieces of theOral and intangibleHeritage of Humanity" to 19outstanding cultural forms fromdifferent regions of the world.Kunqu Opera, a school of tradi-tional Chinese opera, was amongthem. It is the only Chinese artform listed, and is now a facet ofthe common cultural heritage ofhumankind.Criteria used in the selectionprocess were outstanding value,roots in cultural tradition, affir-mation of cultural identity,source of ins…     

The Performance Art of Peking Opera

BY the turn of the19th century,Beijing's status as economic,po-litical and cultural capital had attracted so many theatrical troupesfrom Shaanxi,Anhui,and Hubei that it resembled a multi-facetedperformance venue.The Anhui Opera troupe initially arrived at theinvitation of the imperial court,but its popularity soon extendedfrom the nobility to the common people.Lesser-known companies came on theirown initiative,and their warm reception encouraged many,in common with theAnhui Opera company,to…     

A Global Inspiration——the China Disabled People＇s Performing Art Troupe

AS a large-scale,multi-disciplinary theatrical performance by the China Disabled People＇s Performing Art Troupe,My Dream was a cultural highlight of the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games.It included 18 programs that ranged from music and Peking Opera,to dance dramas and musicals.Its evocation of Oriental charm,with a blending of international cultural themes,left many audiences in tears.     

THIS WEEK

<正>WITH UTMOST CARE A participant performs the art of flower arrangement during Beijing Week,which ran from May 30 to June 3,at Expo 2015 in Milan,Italy.With the theme of"Feeding the Planet,Energy for Life,"this year’s expo is expected to attract more than20 million visitors from May 1 to October 31.Acrobatics,Peking Opera and various other art forms were showcased during Beijing Week to demonstrate the rich cultural heritage of the capital.     

The Lao She Tea House—a haven for Jing Ju fans

L ocated right in the heart of Beijing, the Lao She Tea House combines two of the Chinese capital's best-loved cultural traditions--sipping exoticteas and watching Jing Ju, or BeijingOpera. Named after a very well known20th century Chinese writer, the Lao SheTea House first opened its doors to operaaficionados in 1988. From that day to this,it has enthralled its visitors with theunique magic of Beijing Opera, as wellas other local performances, and tickledtheir taste buds with a wide var…     

Shanghai＇s Celebrities

One of the key factors that lead to Shanghai＇s rapid development is the city＇s prominent social environment where the economic prosperity and tolerance of cultural diversity brings out the best in each other. Such an atmosphere has attracted and produced many influential figures in fields of politics, economy, culture, art, science and sports, whose stories continue to define history. They include founder of the Communist Party of China（CPC） Chen Duxiu, the great Peking Opera artist Mei Lanfang, the Nobel Prize in Physics laureate Tsung-Dao Lee, former Chinese state leaders Jiang Zemin and Zhu Rongji, the basketball player Yao Ming, and the best-selling author Han Han.     

2003&#183;文化强省&#183;七大进展

In 2004, cultural workers of the whole province are determined to further study,publicize and carry out the spirit of the 16th Party congress and its third plenary session under the guidance of Deng Xiaoping Theory and the “Three Represents” important thought; to create more works to inspire people; stay close to reality, dose to real life and close to the masses; to construct a culture-strong province; to strengthen the power of social influence in propaganda and ideological work; to demonstrate social competitiveness of cultural industries and undertakings; and to offer more spiritual food and cultural materials for the realization of an overall well-off society in Shanxi.     

Time-Honored Treasures

正Traditional cultural practices live on in Guangzhou Xie Cuilian is an amateur performer of Cantonese Opera.Following a lifelong passion for the traditional Chinese art form which involves acting,music,singing and martial arts,she has finally become a regular actress on the stage of the Guangzhou Cantonese Opera Art Museum.Her love for Cantonese Opera began when     

The Future of Tradition

正The oldest Chinese opera dates back more than 2,000 years. For centuries, traditional Chinese opera was the most popular cultural entertainment in the daily life of ordinary Chinese people.Traditional Chinese opera features many schools, including Peking Opera and Kunqu Opera—both are listed as World Intangible Cultural Heritage—as well as hundreds of local types across the country.     

Magic of Conservation

正What happens to cultural relics during the whole process from being unearthed to well restored?An exhibition showcasing the results of the work and devotion of specialists brings the past back to life. From Terracotta Warriors to bronzeware, silk pieces and paintings, the 50-odd cultural relics gathered inside a gallery of the Capital Museum in Beijing pay homage to those cultural relic doctors who gave them a second life in the public eye.     

Further Opening-up of the Cultural Sector

AT the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Com- mittee, held last November, the Party proposed to establish a sound modern market system of cultural industry .and to develop a modern public cultural service network, in efforts to promote opening-up of the cultural sector. Professionals working in the industry have expressed positive views.     

A TALE OF CONTINUITY AND CREATIVITY

正Peking Opera seeks balance between tradition and innovation in modern times In the classic Peking Opera San Cha Kou(or The Crossway), two male roles battle each other fiercely yet quietly in the night. The stage characters pretend to be shrouded in darkness, lunging at one another by listening, smelling and touching, but never seeing. To Chao Fan, an actor with the China National Peking Opera Co., this type of performance, one without an actual physical setup, is the charm and essence of Peking Opera.     

A Road for All

CENTRAL China’s province of Shaanxi stretches across bleak loess plateaus,river-rifted plains and rolling hills. Locals have for centuries en-tertained themselves with the coarse Shaanxi Opera (Qinqiang) and Xintianyou folk music. These cultural activities evidence their ancient desire to com-municate with far-away friends. These days,such interaction is much easier,thanks to the transport and communications infrastructures that densely mesh the province.     

Traditional Peking Opera Theater vs. Modern Experimental Dramatist

<正>Beijing’s oldest theater kicks off its drama season in November Zheng Yi Ci Theater-the oldest tradi- tional Peking Opera theater in Beijing-will launch its 2011 Drama Season on November 23 in order to celebrate the 100th show of Peking Opera Mei Lanfang Classics and the 300th anniversary of the theater.     

Cuotaiji,An Ancient Nuo Play of the Yi Ethnic Group

The Nuo play of southwest China＇s Yi ethnic group is also known as ＂Cuotaiji＂ in the local dialect, which means ＂play about human evolution.＂ The Chinese government included it in the first list of national intangible cultural heritage in 2006.     

New Frontiers in Rural Art Scene

<正>Life in the village enables artists to translate cultural legacies into creative works In recent years,a growing number of urban artists have been fixated on the countryside,drawing inspiration from the vast fields and rustic life for their artistic creations.Their interest is not only enriching cultural institutions in rural areas,but is also bringing new vitality to contemporary art and expanding its frontiers.     

A Reciprocal Exchange

<正>The Year of China in South Africa will have far-reaching cultural andbusiness benefitsOne of Africa's leading economies and the world's largest developing country continue to forge even stronger trade,investment and cultural ties that will define the long-term relations of the two nations.In the joint communique between South Africa and China issued in 2013 by Chinese