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Revived traditional opera brings new life to Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown

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      China

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      Revived traditional opera brings new life to Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown

      2024-09-17 17:03 Last Updated At:17:47

      A time-honored alleyway in the heart of Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown is brimming with renewed energy around this year's Mid-Autumn Festival, thanks to an innovative makeover that is rekindling the passion for traditional Chinese Opera.

      Once a faded part of the city, the Kwai Chai Hong, literally meaning "Little Demon Alley," has emerged as a popular sightseeing spot among locals, especially younger generations, blending colorful murals, interactive art installations, and live performances that transform this historic neighborhood into a dynamic modern cultural space.

      With the arrival of the Mid-Autumn Festival, one of the most important traditional holidays for Chinese descendants, the latest installation in the alley is highlighting Chinese Opera, a once-thriving art form that's in decline in recent years.

      "The Chinese Opera in the 1980s in Malaysia was recorded to have over 100 Chinese Opera troupes. Unfortunately, in year 2022, the record shows that there's less than 10 left. It's a very sad truth for us," said Zeen Chang, co-founder of Kwai Chai Hong.

      The performers putting on a show here are from one of the last remaining troupes, led by a master originally from Hong Kong.

      粤语已核对 "When I innovate within Cantonese opera, I ensure that the original essence of the art form is preserved. Then I incorporate elements from foreign and other theatrical works. I take the best aspects and blend them together, adapting to the times," said Kam Sin Kiew, a grand master of Chinese Opera.

      Among the dazzling installations is one inspired by the headdresses worn by the opera performers. It's interactive too, giving visitors a chance to do shadow play for their social media. Some of the murals now also feature augmented reality.

      The latest installation's combination of lights and color, the ancient and the modern is drawing enthusiastic crowds to the Kwai Chai Hong alleyway and to the whole Chinatown.

      "What we hope to do with Kwai Chai Hong right now that we have the ability is to at least rejuvenate the interest of Chinese Opera and plant a curiosity seed to everyone," Chang said.

      The transformation of this alleyway is aimed at turning this once-faded part of Kuala Lumpur into a must-see attraction, not only during festivals, but year-round.

      For Chinese people, the Mid-Autumn Festival is of special ethical significance, and family reunion on this occasion lying deep in their consciousness has been a sentiment and mindset for hundreds of years. This year's Mid-Autumn Festival falls on Tuesday.

      Revived traditional opera brings new life to Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown

      Revived traditional opera brings new life to Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown

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      People across China make preparations to welcome Spring Festival

      2025-01-21 06:41 Last Updated At:07:17

      A festive atmosphere is building up as people across China have been making preparations to ring in the Spring Festival next week, with lights and decorations set everywhere, and with New Year goods markets all seeing booming sales.

      The Spring Festival, which marks the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year, is the most important annual holiday in China, when people across the country return to their hometowns for Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations and family reunion. 

      In Xi'an City of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, a grand lantern show is in its final stage of preparation before opening to the public ahead of the eve of the 2025 Chinese Lunar New Year. To be lit up on Wednesday, the large light sets presented at the event will draw numerous visitors, with lanterns that replicate 38 cultural relics as the highlight.

      Buying New Year flowers has been a custom for Chinese people. In Yancheng City of east China's Jiangsu Province, various flowers which have auspicious meanings are already in high demand.

      This year, tulips bred locally have been put on sale, and quickly become a favorable choice for many customers.  

      "I have never seen this kind of flower before. I think it is really bright-colored. Therefore, I decided to buy some to enhance the festive atmosphere at home," said Zhang Jinjian, a local resident.

      The Anchang ancient town in Shaoxing City of east China's Zhejiang Province has a time-honored custom of making aired sausages and spiced duck.

      As the Spring Festival draws near, plenty of visitors and tourists choose to purchase these local delicacies as ingredients for their Chinese New Year feast.

      "The number of tourists has been increasing, so the sales of our spiced meat have been quite good. Compared with the same period of last year, our sales is expected to increase by about 50,000 yuan (about 6,835 U.S. dollars). We will earn an additional 200,000 to 300,000 yuan (27,335 to 41,000 U.S. dollars) in sales during this whole winter," said Yang Jing, owner of a local spiced meat shop.

      In southwest China's Yunnan Province, the "Tiaocai dance" is a time-honored tradition of the Yi ethnic minority group. The dance is presented in the form of serving dishes while dancing to the rhythm. It usually happens on a joyous or grand occasion.

      Since the most significant annual festival is around the corner, Yi people have dressed up in traditional costumes, and got ready to welcome the arrival of the Chinese Lunar New Year with the special dance.  

      People across China make preparations to welcome Spring Festival

      People across China make preparations to welcome Spring Festival

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