The launching ceremony for promoting traditional operas in schools was held at Fire God Palace Restaurant, Pozi Street, Changsha, on June 23. The event has the theme of “My motherland and Me”, aiming to greet the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

At the launching ceremony, student actors staged a variety of opera performances, including flower-drum opera, Xiang opera, opera dances, and Peking opera. In addition, 10 student inheritors and 10 opera teachers were awarded the certificates of “Little Opera Master” and “Changsha Opera Cultural Supervisor”, and 4 schools awarded the nameplate of “Opera Cultural Volunteer Station”.

After the launching ceremony, student audience were given an intangible cultural heritage food lecture, and tried their hands at making “eight snacks” of the Fire God Palace together with the chefs.

This year marked Changsha’s 3rd Traditional Operas Promoted in Schools. Over the first two years, 43 campus tours and 18 performance shows were held. More than 60 opera cultural volunteer stations were established. Nearly 100 opera cultural volunteers were invited. Over 90,000 primary and middle school students watched the opera performances. Nearly 500 opera talents were discovered.

This year’s Traditional Operas Promoted in Schools began in June. A number of opera tours, opera intangible cultural heritage exhibitions, and opera performances will be held, so as to promote operas in schools and communities. An opera troupe will be organized to further promote the spread and inheritance of opera culture. (en.changsha.gov.cn)