Fujian's cultural splendor wows folks in Spain

A troupe of performers from the Cultural Performances on Weekends team, featuring actors from the Fujian Fanghua Yue Opera Troupe and the Peking Opera Institution of Fujian, recently wowed audiences when they played to the crowd in the Plaza Mayor, the historic public square in Madrid, Spain.

It marked their debut international performance, showcasing traditional Chinese opera forms like Yue Opera and Peking Opera, along with intangible cultural heritage treasures such as paper-cutting and string puppetry.

Initiated by Fujian province this year, Cultural Performances on Weekends is a welfare event aimed at bringing high-quality cultural experiences directly to grassroots communities. By March's end, the performers had delivered close to 170 shows.

During the event in Madrid, Zheng Quan, director of the Fujian Fanghua Yue Opera Troup and a recipient of the Plum Performance Award, enthralled the crowd with an evocative excerpt from the 18th-century Chinese novelthe

Dream of the Red Chamber, demonstrating Yue Opera's artistry with flowing 2-meter-long water sleeves.

Additionally, Sun Fengkun, from the Peking Opera Institution of Fujian, enthralled onlookers with a dynamic portrayal of the legendary Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King, a central figure in Chinese mythology.

The performances captivated both international tourists and locals, fostering a newfound appreciation of Chinese opera. Spectators were keen to try their hand at activities like water sleeve technique demonstrations and singing tutorials, led by Zheng, to provide a taste of Chinese theater's essence.

The international premiere of Cultural Performances on Weekends is seen as showcasing Chinese culture and acting as a cultural bridge between China and the world. It also elevates Fujian's cultural legacy on the global stage, presenting a fresh image of Fujian to the world.