China News Service, Guangzhou, October 14th. Title: Yao Xuanqiu, a famous Chaozhou opera artist: the general secretary’s praise is an inspiration to the Chaozhou opera industry

　　China News Agency reporter Tang Guijiang Zhang Jianyue

　　"When the General Secretary mentioned Chaozhou opera during his investigation in Chaozhou, it made me feel too sudden and so happy!" Yao Xuanqiu, an 86-year-old famous Chaozhou opera artist, was interviewed by China News Agency at her residence on the Pearl River in Guangzhou on the 13th, still unable to restrain her heart. "The general secretary cares so much about local dramas and the Chaozhou operas with a history of more than 500 years. This is the glory of our Chaoshan culture and an inspiration to the Chaozhou opera world!"

　　General Secretary Xi Jinping, who was visiting Guangdong, came to the ancient city of Chaozhou on the afternoon of the 12th to see shops, ask prices, communicate with the local people, and learn about the protection of historical and cultural blocks and the restoration of business and market.

He emphasized that Chaozhou is a famous cultural city with a long history. Chaoshan culture is an important part of Lingnan culture and an important branch of Chinese culture.

Chaozhou embroidery, Chaozhou sculpture, Chaozhou opera, Kungfu tea, Chaozhou cuisine, etc. are all treasures of Chinese culture. They are so precious and rare.

We love this city, we must take good care of her and build her well.

　　In the afternoon, relatives and friends called Yao Xuanqiu in Guangzhou to inform the good news. Later, relatives and friends sent her a live video on the Internet on her mobile phone, and she knew in detail that Chaozhou opera was "liked" by the general secretary in front of the public!

　　From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the 12th, the phone calls of relatives, friends, students, and friends in the theater industry kept ringing.

Yao Xuanqiu, who is immersed in happiness, always reminds colleagues in the Chaozhou opera industry: "This is the general secretary's care and love for our Chaozhou opera. We must continue to do a good job in the inheritance of Chaozhou opera."

　　Chaoshan opera is an ancient traditional local opera genre sung in the Chaoshan dialect in China. It has a history of hundreds of years. Following the footsteps of Chaoshan people, it travels across the ocean and is well-known at home and abroad.

In 2006, Chaozhou opera was also included in the first batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage list.

　　In the Chaozhou opera world, Yao Xuanqiu is a veritable symbol of Chaozhou opera and a leading figure in contemporary Chaozhou opera performance.

In 1952, Yao Xuanqiu was excavated by her predecessors to formally enter the art.

She starred in "Sweeping the Window", "Su Liuniang", "Li Jing Ji", "Continued Li Jing Ji", "Jiang Sister", "Crossing the Grass in the Spring" and other repertoires have become Chao opera classics.

　　In 1957, Yao Xuanqiu came to the capital Beijing with the delegation.

This is the first time in the five-hundred-year history of Chaozhou opera to stand on the capital's stage. Because of its outstanding performance, the audience praised it. Chaozhou opera was recommended to be performed in Huairentang in Zhongnanhai. Leaders such as Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai attended the show.

After the performance that night, Yao Xuanqiu and the actors were so excited that they couldn't sleep.

　　Several hours of phone calls from relatives and friends the day before yesterday made Yao Xuanqiu excited all night. She said: "National leaders attach so much importance to Chaozhou opera and local drama. This is the glory of the drama industry."

　　In 1959 and 1961, the Chaozhou drama "Su Liuniang" and "The Story of Li Jing" (ie "Chen San Wu Niang") were filmed into films.

In the film, Yao Xuanqiu successfully portrayed the image of two ancient girls, Su Liuniang and Huang Wuniang.

　　These two art films became Yao Xuanqiu's classic works.

"At that time, "The Story of the Li Jing" was made into a movie, and all aspects were very important. It was produced by Hong Kong Dapeng Film Company and the copies used were bought from Hollywood." Yao Xuanqiu recalled that after the film was broadcast, the audience of Chaozhou operas More.

　　"As soon as the iconic gongs and drums of Chaozhou opera are struck, the unique music can be heard in several alleys, the audience will come to buy tickets to watch." Yao Xuanqiu said, when the hottest, he and the troupe often go to Beijing , Shanghai and other parts of the country as well as overseas performances, wherever they go, popular.

　　Yao Xuanqiu is still very energetic and walks lightly. “As long as the air is fresh and I am in a good mood, I can’t help but practice my hands.” Yao Xuanqiu showed reporters some of the unique walking and posture of Chaozhou opera, gently shaking the Luo fan, and graceful posture. , Ups and downs, sing softly in the mouth, and vaguely see the stage style of the year.

　　As the representative inheritor of the national intangible cultural heritage Chaozhou opera project, Yao Xuanqiu also often attends some theater activities, and has spared no effort in the promotion and inheritance of Chaozhou opera art.

She said: "We must work hard to continue to pass on this beautiful art!" (End)