Huagu opera enriches rural life in Juye, Shandong

As spring blooms, a crowd gathers at a cultural square in a town in Shandong's Juye county, where the traditional Huagu opera performance is being held once again. The ancient, sonorous, and rhythmic singing style wins applause from the audience.

"Huagu opera is quite popular in Juye county, Shandong province, with roots tracing back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Due to its down-to-earth nature, wide appeal, ease of transmission, and the shared appreciation of both the refined and the popular, it is beloved by the local people. The actors mainly come from the western and northern parts of Juye," said Bi Qingchun, a fourth-generation practitioner of the traditional art form.

Huagu opera is among the oldest forms of Chinese folk opera, growing out of ancient sacrificial rituals and folk entertainment activities. It features simple instruments, plain lyrics, beautiful melodies, and rough and lively performances. It is predominantly presented in the form of storytelling, with one male lead and one comic role. Its themes revolve around historical culture and everyday life, with various characters portrayed through different singing techniques and tonal adjustments.

Popular in the border areas of Jiangsu, Shandong, Henan, and Anhui provinces, Huagu opera has gradually evolved into a unique regional opera genre with distinctive regional styles, showcasing profound artistic connotations and local characteristics.

In recent years, Juye county has actively nurtured and supported the development of Huagu opera. Juye's Huagu opera has become a crucial part of efforts to promote and pass down local cultural traditions, driving cultural and tourism development and enriching people's cultural and spiritual lives. (Edited by Xie Zhenzhen)

Shandong Huagu opera is a form of traditional Han folk art that features the drum as the main accompanying instrument, with antiphonal singing. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]