Pupils inherit Wuxi Opera

Jiangyin has managed to bring Wuxi Opera classes to more than 20 primary schools. [Photo/WeChat account: fabujiangyin]

Jiangyin authorities recently arranged for pupils to perform Wuxi Opera at Zhoushan Primary School in an effort to promote this traditional art among young people.

Students from Zhouzhuang Experimental Elementary School and Changshou Experimental Primary School put on traditional tracks, such as Pearl Tower, as well as modern tracks, like Sister Jiang Red Flag Embroidery.

Jiangyin has managed to bring Wuxi Opera classes to more than 20 primary schools. More than 10,000 pupils have taken part in performances, encouraging all primary school students in Jiangyin to learn about the tradition.

Ni Danping from Nanzha Center Primary School in Jiangyin performs his personal stage of Wuxi Opera in 2016. [Photo/WeChat account: fabujiangyin]

Nanzha Center Primary School was selected as Jiangyin's model school for Wuxi Opera classes. The school started its Wuxi Opera class in 2010 and trained a number of students to pass on and promote the opera. Their performances have been broadcasted on CCTV nine times and were shown in both urban and rural areas.

Ni Danping, a young learner at the school, even performed his own personal Wuxi Opera in 2016, causing a stir at the time. The school also started a club to peak more interest in Wuxi Opera among students. The school-based curriculum, developed by the school's teachers, won the first place prize in Wuxi.

In addition to opening Wuxi Opera classes, authorities also arranged for local experts to create new tracks focusing on school life and moral education. As of now, 22 tracks have been created, making the city a model for introducing opera to schools.

Wuxi Opera is one of the three most popular operas in East China, and one of the major local operas in Jiangsu. There are currently more than 10 Wuxi Opera troupes in Jiangsu, which mainly tell slice of life stories set in rural areas, most of which oppose feudal marriage, old ethics, and greedy landlords.

Schools in Jiangyin offer students classes to learn traditional Chinese instrument. [Photo/WeChat account: fabujiangyin]