The Peking Opera Seminar was held successfully in Latvia
On May 29, 2015, Peking Opera seminar, jointly organized by the Chinese Embassy in Latvia, University of Latvia, Confucius Institute at University of Latvia and Entertainment Company was held in the Senate Hall at University of Latvia. About 50 guests including Chinese Ambassador Yang Guoqiang, Councilor Li Tao, Vice President of Chinese National Peking Opera Company Yu Kuizhi, Head of the Group One of Chinese National Peking Opera Company Li Sheng Su, Director of Female Generals of the Yang Family Sun Guiyuan, Rector of Latvia University Marcis Auzinsh, Deputy Rector at University of Latvian Andris Kangro, Latvian Director Peteris Pildegovcs and Chinese Director Shang Quanyu of Confucius Institute at Latvia University, teachers and students from Humanity Faculty and Confucius Institute attended the seminar.
The seminar began with a brief video which introduces Peking Opera at 15:50. Prof. Auzinsh introduced Latvian guests at first, and then Mr. Yu Kuizhi introduced Chinese guests. After the guests introduction, Prof. Auzinsh and Ambassador Yang Guoqiang delivered a speech separately, which was about the important status with the Peking Opera in Chinese culture and how they contract with this art.
Next, Mr. Sun Guiyuan made a lecture that illustrated the characteristics, content and performing form to share the charm of Peking Opera to all the guests. He concluded that Peking Opera is a brilliant art; he hoped more spark can be made by discussion in the next. Prof. Pildegovcs made a high compliment to Mr. Sun’s speech and he introduced more knowledge in Latvian and wished that more Latvian can access and fell in love with Peking Opera by this opportunity.
In the Q&A part, some guests asked a series questions such as When did women start to play Peking Opera to break the tradition that only men in Peking Opera? What’s the new idea and creation now on the basis of previous Female Generals of the Yang Family? How does the Peking Opera face the challenge from modern arts…… Mr. Sun answered all the questions in detail, especially for the last question above, he said, this is a universal problem, but Chinese government cares and supports the development of Peking Opera; the government cultivates young inheritors and audiences; and we always perform in schools, universities, even perform abroad, it is all of artists’ perseverance that spread this art all of the world. Mr. Sun’s answer earned a lot of applause, and led the thinking about how to preserve traditional art with all the participants.
At last, Mr. Auzinsh and Ambassador Yang Guoqiang made a conclusion speech of the seminar; they expressed thanks for the artists and pleasure for holding such a great seminar. All the participants took a group picture to mark the unforgettable moment after the seminar.
The Peking opera delegation led by Yu Kuizhi will be staged to show
