Southern School of Cantonese Opera appeal goes beyond Wuchuan

The Southern School of Cantonese Opera Inheritance Center in Wuchuan, a county-level city in Zhanjiang, was recently designated as an International Cultural Exchange Base for Overseas Chinese by the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese.

The nomination is a recognition of the organization's crucial efforts in carrying forward traditional Chinese culture. The nominees will form an important part of the federation's efforts in the bonding of cultural identity bearers and promoting cultural exchanges with other countries.

Cantonese Opera, originating in Guangdong province, is one of the major styles of Chinese opera. Wuchuan itself is the hometown of the Southern School, which is unique for its exaggerated expressions, highly difficult stunts and a rough style.

The inheritance center evolved from the former Wuchuan Cantonese Opera Art Troupe, which dates back to 1953. The artistic characteristics of the Southern School has remained intact at the center and  has been passed on to younger generations.

The Southern School of Cantonese Opera was also listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Guangdong Province in 2012 and that of China in 2014.

Wuchuan has hosted a Cantonese Opera Cultural Festival since 2012, which provides a platform for a diverse range of artistic forms from locals as well as Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, Australia and Canada.