On October 13, in an interview with Cheng Ya Ping, the head of the Yunnan Provincial Dian Opera Theatre and a national first-class actor, she expressed, “In the realm of dramatic arts, there exists a unique essence called ‘Yunnan,’ with the most representative forms being the Flower Lantern and Dian Opera.” She emphasized the importance of grounding artistic creativity in a rich historical context while simultaneously aligning with contemporary aesthetics, encouraging innovation to draw more young audiences into theaters to appreciate these art forms.
The 10th Yunnan Province Flower Lantern and Dian Opera Arts Week is taking place from October 11 to 17 in Lu Liang County, Qujing City. Over 700 professional actors and opera artists have gathered for a series of performances showcasing the best of Flower Lantern and Dian Opera, exploring new pathways for the inheritance, development, and innovation of local theater.
According to Sun Jinkun, a national first-class director at the Yunnan Provincial Ethnic Arts Research Institute, Yunnan is a primary source of Flower Lantern drama, enriched by the diverse cultures of its many ethnic groups. “The most distinctive feature and charm is the beautiful imagery of the harmonious blending of various ethnicities in the works,” he noted. He further highlighted that the development of Flower Lantern art in Yunnan is characterized by a small number of professional troupes that are well-prepared, alongside a wide array of grassroots community organizations. To ensure the continuation of this art form, it is essential to cultivate more professional talent to inject fresh energy into the field.
Long Qian, the director of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Drama Theatre and president of the Guangxi Drama Association, discussed the necessity of classic repertoires and character development for local theater growth. “This year marks the 65th anniversary of the Guangxi Colorful Tune Drama ‘Liu Sanjie.’ Classic pieces remain timeless, deeply embedding characters in the hearts of the audience while ensuring the ongoing transmission of traditional local drama,” she said. Long further noted that Yunnan’s hosting of the Flower Lantern and Dian Opera Arts Week provides a platform to nurture contemporary works, digging into representative characters and stories from various regions to stimulate innovation in drama.
Attracting more young audiences to theaters is a key concern for many practitioners of Flower Lantern and Dian Opera. Gao Aijie, a national first-class actor at the Yunnan Flower Lantern Theatre, shared, “We are continuously striving to achieve this goal. On one hand, we actively engage with what interests younger people when creating drama, incorporating more modern and fashionable elements into our productions. On the other hand, we are committed to bringing local theater into the lives of young people through community outreach and campus initiatives.”
Multiple artists in the Flower Lantern and Dian Opera community believe that the ongoing Arts Week offers extensive coverage and diverse formats, truly presenting representative and innovative new theatrical works to audiences. This event fosters a robust public foundation for the development of local theater.
