Qiongju Opera debuts at China-ASEAN Theater Week

The 12th China-ASEAN (Nanning) Theater Week was held in Nanning from Oct 28 to Nov 1. The event featured a diverse program, including UNESCO intangible cultural heritage items like Thailand's Khon and China's Peking Opera, alongside classic Chinese operas such as Pingju and Qinqiang as well as rare art forms like Yongju, which is at risk of disappearing.

A highlight was the original Qiongju Opera Huang Daopo, presented by the Hainan Qiongju Opera Theater. The play chronicles the story of Huang Daopo (1245–1330), a pioneering textile innovator of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). It depicts her journey from the Li community in Hainan to the Jiangnan area, where she spread advanced weaving techniques that greatly improved local livelihoods.

The performance captivated a diverse audience, including international students from Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and Indonesia. A student from Myanmar said, "It was my first time seeing Qiongju Opera. The acting, emotions, and costumes were so expressive that I was able to fully understand of Huang's story, even while relying on subtitles. Such exchanges help us appreciate Chinese culture and strengthen ties between ASEAN and China."

ASEAN students attend a performance of the Qiong Opera Huang Daopo. [Photo/Sanya Daily]