International Students Experience Chaozhou Opera at Xie Huiru Art Center

Overview

It is reported that on May 22, teachers and students from Shantou University’s International College were invited by the Shantou Public Diplomacy Association to visit the Xie Huiru Chaozhou Opera Art Center for a cultural exchange experience on Chaozhou Opera.

Activity Content

The event was divided into four segments:

Chaozhou Opera Art Museum Visit: Guided by docents, participants learned about the origins, development, and century-long heritage of Chaozhou Opera, viewing historical documents, traditional instruments, and exquisite costumes.

Costume and Performance Experience: Participants moved to the rehearsal hall to learn about the four major roles in Chaozhou Opera — “Sheng, Dan, Jing, Chou” — and their costume characteristics. They then donned costumes and props, following instructors to imitate the body movements, gestures, and postures of Chaozhou Opera performance.

Watching the New Adaptation “Cai Wenji”: Participants attended a screening of the newly adapted Chaozhou Opera “Cai Wenji” at Huiru Theater, which depicts the historical story of “Wenji’s Return to Han” through the unique artistic expression of Chaozhou Opera.

Sharing and Reflections: Participating international students shared their experiences. Thai student Wang Dadong expressed deep appreciation for the dedication of Chaozhou Opera performers after hands-on experience, while Thai student Yang Yang noted that despite not understanding the Shantou dialect, the stage design and performers’ passion allowed him to appreciate the charm of Chaozhou Opera art.

Significance

Through the diverse format of “observe, learn, perform, and appreciate,” this activity allowed international students to experience the unique charm of Chaozhou Opera comprehensively, building a bridge for cross-cultural communication. The International College stated it will continue to organize cultural exchange activities, providing international students with more opportunities to appreciate Chinese culture.

Source: WeChat Official Account of International College, Shantou University