Fujian rings in new year with operatic twist

The 2026 Fujian New Year Opera Gala was held in Fuzhou on Dec 29, marking the province's first dedicated New Year celebration centered on traditional opera and bringing together award-winning performers and critically acclaimed productions.

The program featured a selection of recent works recognized by the Golden Rooster Awards for Best Opera Film, alongside productions selected for national showcases. By blending historical prestige with modern stagecraft, the gala provided a comprehensive overview of the evolution of traditional Chinese theater.

The gala also honored historical legacy through performances. To mark the 240th anniversary of the birth of Lin Zexu, a national hero renowned for resisting foreign incursions during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the program featured a cross-generational Min Opera excerpt. Chen Naichun, a 73-year-old Wenhua Performance Award winner, performed alongside his students to honor Lin's commitment to national service.

Renowned Peking Opera artist Wei Haimin from Taiwan, a winner of the 13th Plum Blossom Award, performed a classic excerpt from Mu Guiying Takes Command, underscoring a shared cultural identity and the enduring appeal of traditional themes such as loyalty and courage.

The event concluded with a collective performance of the opera song Sheng Shi Li Yuan (Prosperous Times of the Pear Garden), which received sustained applause from the audience.