The Monkey King, Sun Wukong, returns from the Dragon Palace with treasures, playfully sparring and training with little monkeys at the Water Curtain Cave on Flower Fruit Mountain. This lively and vivid performance is a scene from the Shao Opera production The Monkey King.
On the evening of December 8, the opening ceremony of the 11th China-ASEAN (Nanning) Drama Week featured a captivating performance by the Xiaoshan Shao Opera Art Center from Hangzhou, Zhejiang. They brought to life the mischievous yet valiant character of the Monkey King through masterful acting, winning cheers from both domestic and international audiences.
The night also showcased a variety of traditional Chinese and Southeast Asian theatrical performances, including Cantonese Opera’s The Drunken Concubine, Kunqu Opera’s The Night Flight, Jin Opera’s White Snake: The Water Fight, and the Cai Diao Opera Liu Sanjie: Love Song Exchange. Art troupes from China and ASEAN countries gathered at the Guangxi Culture and Art Center Grand Theatre, delivering a feast of classic dramas for thrilled enthusiasts.
Jointly organized by the Nanning Municipal People’s Government and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Department of Culture and Tourism, and hosted by the Publicity Department of the CPC Nanning Municipal Committee, Nanning Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, and the Nanning Foreign Affairs Office, the event runs from December 8 to 12. It serves as a key cultural activity within the 2024 ASEAN-Oriented Cultural Exchange Cooperation Forum and the second China-ASEAN (Nanning) Cultural Month.
With the theme “Bridging Mountains and Seas, Gathering Drama in Nanning,” this year’s Drama Week brings together 40 performing arts troupes from China and ASEAN countries to stage 22 outstanding productions. By using culture as a bond and drama as a bridge, the event fully showcases the cultural charm of China and ASEAN nations.
A Convergence of Talent
This year’s Drama Week features 12 performing arts troupes from seven ASEAN countries, including Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Myanmar, along with 28 troupes from across China. The event includes an opening ceremony, classic performances, the “Golden Hall” Chinese-ASEAN Artists Showcase, exchange forums, and scenic spot-based performances under the theme “Drama on the Journey.” These activities aim to share the achievements of China-ASEAN drama art development with the public.
The event highlights a variety of Chinese theatrical genres, such as Peking Opera, Kunqu Opera, Qinqiang Opera, Yu Opera, Qu Opera, Yue Diao, Jin Opera, Dian Opera, Wu Opera, Cantonese Opera, Lu Opera, Hangzhou Opera, Shao Opera, and Huaihai Opera. Many of the participating troupes have won prestigious awards like the Wenhua Award at the China Arts Festival and the China Theatre Awards at the China Theatre Festival. Renowned performers, including Plum Blossom Award winners such as Ou Kaiming, Li Dongqiao, Qiong Xia, Liang Sumei, Hao Shichao, and Ha Dan, headline the performances, guaranteeing a high-quality lineup and stellar productions.
A Blend of Tourism and Culture
Adhering to its commitment to making art accessible to the public, this year’s Drama Week enhances the quality of cultural services and products, enriching the cultural experience of citizens and tourists alike. The public can enjoy theatrical performances at venues such as the Guangxi Culture and Art Center, Nanning Theatre, Guangxi Children’s Theatre, and Yongzhou Theatre. Additionally, they can immerse themselves in dynamic drama showcases at Yongzhou Ancient City’s historical streets, enjoying close-up performances and interactive activities. Visitors can try on traditional costumes, engage with performers, and transition from “tourists” to “actors” for a unique cultural experience while exploring the charm of Nanning.
Promoting Cooperation and Cultural Exchange
The China-ASEAN (Nanning) Drama Week aims to serve as a platform for cultural exchange and mutual learning, fostering closer ties between China and ASEAN nations. Over the years, the event has showcased the diversity and uniqueness of theatrical traditions from different countries and regions, deepening mutual understanding of each other’s cultures and building strong friendships. The China-ASEAN Theatre Cooperation and Exchange Mechanism, launched during previous Drama Weeks, now includes over 120 performing arts organizations worldwide, ensuring sustained cultural exchanges and collaboration.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Zhang Ziying, Member of the Standing Committee of the Nanning Municipal Party Committee, emphasized Nanning’s role as the Chinese provincial capital closest to ASEAN countries. Over recent years, Nanning has actively hosted a variety of cultural events, including the Drama Week, Music Week, Poetry Week, Cultural Creativity Week, and Film Screenings, attracting over 1,600 artists from China and abroad. The city is committed to deepening theatrical collaboration, fostering talent, and creating a long-term mechanism for cultural exchange to strengthen the China-ASEAN community with a shared future.
Datuk Saharuddin, Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia, highlighted the cultural significance of drama in China and ASEAN traditions. He expressed hope that the platform would bring together more troupes from the region, sharing resources, experiences, and expanding the channels of cultural exchange between China and ASEAN.
That evening, more than 20 international mainstream media outlets, Chinese-language media, and social media influencers attending the “Nanning Channel: Infinite Opportunities” 2024 Media Tour watched the opening performance. They pledged to share the story of Nanning’s openness and its rich cultural heritage with the world, further amplifying the cultural influence of the “Nanning Channel.”
(Photo by Rémon Chen）
