7 Kunqu opera troupes of China gathered in Chenzhou city to perform their great shows there
Inaugurating ceremony of Chinese Kunqu Opera Exchange Center was held there as well

It was reported that “meeting in Chenzhou”- performance collection of national outstanding young actors of Kunqu opera which was sponsored by Chenzhou Municipal Party Committee and Chenzhou Government was opened on Hunan Kunqu Opera Classical Theater. 7 Kunqu opera troupes of China gathered in Chenzhou city to perform their great shows there. Xiang Lili- Secretary of Chenzhou Municipal Party Committee announced the opening of the activity. Qu Hai- Deputy Secretary of Chenzhou Municipal Party Committee and Mayor of Chenzhou City addressed a speech on the ceremony. Li Hui- Director of Hunan Provincial Cultural Department attended the ceremony.

Qu Hai stated that Chenzhou city paid great attention on inheriting, protecting and carrying forward traditional cultural art with the leading of Kunqu opera. “Meeting in Chenzhou” Chinese classical Kunqu opera collection and “Meeting in Chenzhou” cross-strait Kunqu opera exchanges were successfully held by Chenzhou city in 2010 and 2012. Under the background of closer cultural communication, Chenzhou city carried out this collection activity which was purposely to well implement the important spirit of General Secretary Xi’s speech delivered on the symposium of cultural and art work, to build a communication platform for the talents of Kunqu opera especially for the outstanding young actors, to promote the inherit and development of the art of Kunqu opera, to popularize Kunqu opera to the masses, to carry forward Chinese excellent and traditional culture, and to play a positive role on improving cultural development.

Qu said all the outstanding young actors of 7 Kunqu opera troupes of China gathered together to present their great shows in Chenzhou city. He sincerely hoped that the beautiful sceneries of Chenzhou city and hospitable Chenzhou people may keep a good impression on the mind of all guests. Qu was also confident that further communication and cooperation of culture and economy would be reached among Chenzhou and other cities via this kind of Kunqu opera art communication.

In the opening ceremony, the Tianxiang edition of “Peony Pavilion” which was performed by Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe was firstly presented to the audience. It was introduced that it was finished by Kunqu opera master Yu Zhengfei and Yan Huizhu and some other predecessors, then inherited to Cai Zhengren and Zhang Xunpeng, and then collected by Zhu Chuanming and was carried down till now. Cai Zhengren and Zhang Xunpeng- the two predecessors came to Chenzhou city for particular guide of this play. Luo Yan- national first-class performer and commander of Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe and Lei Ling- winner of “Plum Blossom Prize” acted Du Liniang successively. Their grace voice and excellent performance were rewarded with long and warm applause by the audience.

It was learned that the collection activity would be last for 3 days. Jiangsu Kunqu Opera Institute, Yongjia Kunqu Opera, North Kuqun Opera Institute, and Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe would present some typical plays on Nov.28, 2014, and Zhejiang Beijing Kunqu Art Center, Suzhou Kunqu Opera Institute, Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe and Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe would show some other plays on November 29, 2014.

Liu Zhen- Member of Experts Committee of National Intangible Cultural Heritage Work and Member of Academic Degree Committee of Chinese National Academy of Arts, some Hunan provincial and Chenzhou municipal leaders attended the opening ceremony.

It was learned that Hunan Kunqu Opera Academy “Chinese Kunqu Opera Exchange Center” was inaugurated on November 27, 2014 as well after over one-year construction. Some young actors of 7 Kunqu opera troupes from Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Suzhou, Zhejiang, Yongjia and Hunan witnessed the inaugurating ceremony and performed some special shows there to show the unique charm of Kunqu opera- the world’s intangible cultural inheritage.

Zhou Yingchun- Member of Chenzhou Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee and Minister of Chenzhou Municipal Propaganda Department and Li Ting- Deputy Mayor of Chenzhou City attended the ceremony.