BEIJING and QINGDAO, China, Nov. 26, 2024 — A recent performance of the Maoqiang Opera “Osmanthus Pavilion: Visiting the Prison” at Beijing’s Mei Lanfang Grand Theater highlighted Jiaozhou’s rich cultural heritage. Presented by the Qingdao Maoqiang Theater Troupe as part of a national intangible cultural heritage (ICH) opera exhibition, the production showcased Maoqiang’s unique artistic style. The performance featured leading actress Wang Qiong, a national first-class actress and member of the Chinese Dramatists Association, alongside a cast of younger performers, according to the Information Office of Qingdao Municipal People’s Government.

Jiaozhou City has prioritized innovative approaches to preserving and utilizing its cultural heritage. By focusing on public needs and implementing a revitalization model, the city has successfully integrated ICH into daily life. This has resulted in two national-level, seven provincial-level, 20 city-level (Qingdao), and 108 local-level (Jiaozhou) ICH projects.

Jiaozhou Yangko, one of Shandong Province’s three major Yangko styles, is known for its distinctive “three bends, nine moves, and eighteen poses” and has flourished in recent years. With almost 1,000 Yangko teams, the art form has achieved international recognition through cultural exchanges in countries such as South Korea and Italy.

Maoqiang Opera in Jiaozhou successfully combines tradition and contemporary influences. Efforts to preserve traditional elements while encouraging the creation of new works, both by professional and amateur groups, have ensured the opera’s continued relevance to modern audiences.

Sanpu Longquan, a martial art with over 400 years of history (originating in the late Ming Dynasty as “Liu Family Boxing”), is now integrated into Jiaozhou’s education system. As part of the city’s “ICH in Schools” program, instructional materials, including Sanpu Longquan Health Exercises, have been distributed, leading to its widespread practice among the city’s 110,000 primary and secondary school students.

The Jiaozhou Eight-Cornered Drum, a stage performance art, maintains its popularity through adaptable lyrics that can be tailored to various themes, from historical accounts and legal dramas to contemporary stories. Continuous innovation over its 110-year history has kept its repertoire fresh and relevant.

Source: Information Office of Qingdao Municipal People’s Government

CONTACT: Contact person: Ms. Zhang, Tel: 86-10-63074558

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