The 2026 Kunshan Bacheng Double Ninth Kunqu Opera Festival opened on Oct 17 at Shipai Central Primary School in Kunshan, Jiangsu province, bringing together renowned performers, scholars, local officials and opera enthusiasts to celebrate the centuries-old art form and promote its transmission to younger generations.
Held around the Double Ninth Festival, a traditional Chinese occasion honoring older people, the event marked the 12th year of the festival. For the first time, the opening ceremony took place at a school, underscoring the importance of arts education in keeping Kunqu Opera alive.
Young performers from the school's Xiaomeihua Kunqu Opera troupe brought youthful energy to the opening with a performance of Plum Blossoms Toward the Sun. For more than two decades, the school has incorporated Kunqu into its arts education program, earning recognition for its efforts to nurture young opera talent.
At the ceremony, local officials outlined plans to deepen the links between Kunqu heritage, education and tourism. Tian Qing, honorary president of the China Kun Opera and Guqin Research Institute, sent a video message, expressing support for the preservation and continued practice of traditional opera.
In a symbolic gesture of intergenerational exchange, young students presented flowers to several honorary residents of Bacheng's Kunqu-themed cultural community, including scholars and artists, celebrating the passing of artistic traditions to a new generation.
The ceremony also saw the Jiangsu Opera Research and Promotion Center and Shipai Central Primary School establish a provincial-level practice base for campus opera education. The initiative aims to expand school-based Kunqu programs and cultivate future performers.
Following the launch, artists presented excerpts from classic works, including The Legend of the White Snake, Water Margin and The Palace of Eternal Youth. Bringing together young students and established professionals, the program showcased Kunqu's distinctive singing, graceful movements and refined theatrical techniques.
The festival extends beyond the opening night, with more than 10 activities planned, including artists' singing sessions, gatherings for amateur performers, public performances and workshops introducing traditional crafts and folk arts such as bamboo carving, bamboo flute music and folk songs. Events took place across Bacheng's old streets, the Zhengyi opera cultural district and artists' studios.
Originating in the Kunshan area, Kunqu has a history of about 600 years and was among the first traditions proclaimed by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2001. Organizers said the festival aims to bring the art form closer to the public through education, community participation and cultural tourism.
Bacheng plans to further develop the Zhengyi opera cultural district and connect performances and study tours with local food and shopping experiences to offer visitors more opportunities to experience Kunqu as part of everyday life.
By bringing together professional performances, school students and community enthusiasts, the festival seeks to safeguard Kunqu's legacy while introducing the traditional art to new audiences and securing its place in contemporary society.
