A rich tapestry of cultures

Art blooms

In recent years, Gansu's artistic stage has seen many excellent works, laying a foundation for the development of a culturally strong province through quality creations.

The new play, whose name can be translated as The Light of Hadapu, is set when the Red Army's Long March passed through Hadapu, Gansu in 1935, showcasing the spirit of the Long March through a blend of characters and historical moments.

Since its premiere, it has received enthusiastic audience responses and helped promote the Red culture. It was selected as a participating play in the ongoing 19th China Theatre Festival, showcasing the charm of Gansu's Red culture on a national stage.

The large-scale historical documentary, whose name can be translated as Zuo Zongtang Recovers Xinjiang, is another masterpiece. It is centered on the 1870s historical event in which Zuo Zongtang led the army of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) to recover Xinjiang and consolidate the northwestern borderland. The documentary artistically recreates the heroic deeds of Qing Dynasty soldiers who fought to defend national territorial integrity in challenging conditions through different scenes.

Meanwhile, key productions including an acrobatic drama, a musical, and a play are being created and rehearsed, continuing to interpret regional charm and the spirit of the times, enriching the artistic matrix of Gansu.

The inheritance and revival of classic dramas has also helped develop Gansu into a culturally strong province. A Long Opera piece, based on the story of a fisherwoman who avenges her father's death in the late Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), showcases the unique artistic charm of Long Opera through classic scenes.

Since its premiere in 1959, it has been performed more than 3,000 times, with 10 million audience views. Since its inclusion in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's key traditional (classic) drama revival plan in 2024, young actors and actresses, under the guidance of influential artists Lei Tongxia and Dou Fengxia, have honed their singing and choreography, making the classic more in line with modern aesthetic needs while preserving the essence of the original play.

Also, the "Sightseeing Gansu with the Pace of Art" series of activities has benefited local people and helped develop a culturally strong province. An intangible cultural heritage costume display event, together with a model contest featuring Tibetan costumes, was held in a scenic area in the Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture in July.

At the Mars Base 1 in Jinchang city, music carnival activities provided the audience with a show that blended rock and rap in August. The banks of the Yellow River were equally lively recently, with 13 cultural performances held, offering art forms such as song and dance as well as acrobatics.

From quality creations and classic inheritance to art exhibitions, performances and cultural activities that benefit the public, Gansu uses art as a brush to paint a picture of itself building into a culturally strong province, allowing the charm of its culture to bloom in the new era.