Opera meets fine brushwork peony painting in Shandong

Juye county – administered by Heze city, in East China's Shandong province – is known for being the Hometown of Chinese Farmer Painting and the Hometown of Opera.

As two major categories of traditional Chinese art, painting and opera have a long-standing and interconnected history.

The meticulous and delicate strokes of Juye's fine brushwork peony paintings merge harmoniously with the singing, chanting, acting, martial arts and dancing of opera. [Video by Xiao Shouxiang for chinadaily.com.cn]

The history of painting and calligraphy in Juye dates back to the Qin (221-206 BC) and Han (206 BC-AD 220) dynasties, with many talented individuals emerging throughout the ages.

Through the collective efforts of generations of master painters, Juye's fine brushwork peony painting – which combines the peony flower, traditional Chinese painting and national etiquette – has gradually become a cultural emblem representing Heze and Shandong.

As one of the fifth batch of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage projects in Shandong province, it frequently showcases the artistic charms of Chinese fine brushwork peony painting – with its contemporary aesthetic and thematic expressions at major events, presenting it to the world.

Juye is also renowned as the hometown of Chinese opera, with a diverse array of folk productions. Various types of operas are popular in the area – including Shandong Bangzi Opera, Yu Opera, Zaobang Opera and Liangjiaxian.

Local folk opera troupes have a history spanning 300 years and continue to be performed to this day. (Edited by Jin Yongxue)