In the middle of October 2017, as appointed by China National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, and substantially supported by Chongqing University, a delegation of more than 20 students and teachers from the School of Civil Engineering, School of Journalism, School of Arts and Meishi Film Academy are sent to Europe on a tour themed “promoting excellent traditional culture, inheriting Chinese opera spirit and enhancing cross-boarder cultural communication”. This event is led by the Propaganda Department and the School of International Education, and is based on the Opera Culture Inheritance and Protection Base of Chongqing University under the Ministry of Education. A Sichuan opera troupe named “Qufeng Yayun” is built up in collaboration with the Teaching Affairs Office and Chongqing University Youth League Committee. Pisa Confucius Institute of Chongqing University has been actively communicating with other Confucius institutes and the consulate general of China overseas, and has provided substantial support. Hu Xuebin, a standing member of CPC CQU Committee, and head of the Propaganda Department, Li Jing, vide dean of the School of International Education (in charge of the tour), respectively act as the head and deputy head of the Troupe. The tour is held respectively in 4 Italian cities, like Pisa, Florence, Bologna and Venice, and 2 French cities, namely, Montpelier and Nice. The tour is supported by SSSUP, Universita di PISA, Florence Machiavelli Confucius Classroom, University of Bologna, University of Venice, Second University of Montpelier, University of Nice and other colleges and Confucius institutes. This is the first tour Chongqing University has undertaken under the Headquarters of Confucius Institute of China National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language. It is of great significance for students and teachers of CQU to broaden their horizon, improve art standard, contribute to the cultural construction of “double-first-rate”, and enhance CQU’s international influence. The six tours have been a full house, and appreciated and well received by the audience.
The performance tour, speech tour and exhibition tour (three tours) are also part of the external cultural exchange of Chongqing University sponsored by the Headquarters of Confucius Institute of China National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language to exert the cultural publicizing function of Confucius Institute and enrich the school running content of Confucius Institute.
A birthday gift for China: The traditional Chinese culture shining blazing light at the site of world heritage
On October 1, which falls on China’s National Day, Sichuan Opera Troupe of CQU brings the traditional Chinese art to Pisa, a well-known historic and cultural city of Italy, to present a special birthday gift for China. It is the first “speech tour” and “performance tour” of the Troupe at the SSSUP. With devoted support of Wu Xueyuan, dean of Pisa Confucius Institute, they have deliberately planned and organized the “speech tour” and “performance tour”, including the field experiencing of Sichuan opera facial makeup, a lecture on Sichuan opera art, exhibition of Sichuan opera skills and Sichuan opera performance. Alberto Di Minin, the Italian dean of Pisa Confucius Institute, is present to preside over the event. Professor Peng Jixiang, the executive vice dean of Meishi Film Academy, delivers a speech on the Traditional Chinese Culture and Sichuan Opera Art, as the start of the cultural publicizing event. Associate Professor Zhao Qian from the School of Arts displays the figure of Sichuan opera and explains it in details. The performance, which lasts for more than 1 hour, includes Sichuan opera music voice, bodily movement, instrumental music and unique skills, which greatly impress the audience from Pisa, SSSUP, University of Pisa and Scuola Normale Superiore. They all speak highly of the visual impact and artistic enjoyment brought by the Sichuan opera art.
Ester, a doctoral candidate of SSSUP, says after watching the performance that he has been always interested in operas and he thinks Sichuan opera performance is wonderful and unique.
(Professor Peng Jixiang is explaining the Traditional Chinese Culture and Sichuan Opera Art.)
(Associate Professor Zhao Qian from the School of Arts is displaying the figure of Sichuan opera.)
(Wu Xueyuan, Chinese dean of Pisa Confucius Institute, is exhibiting the facial makeup with a performer.)
(The performance presses the audience greatly)
(Group photos of performers and staff members)
Entering the ancient cultural town: Showing the charm of traditional Chinese operas to the worlds’ capital of art
On October 2, the Sichuan Opera Troupe delivers its second performance tour at Florence, the world’s capital of art, the cultural center of Europe and the place of origin of the Renaissance in Europe. In the morning, the Troupe sets off for Teatro di Cestello and finishes the facial makeup on the bus; then they take the costumes and prop to the performance site, and do a rehearsal. The performance begins precisely at 11:30am.
(Program A Collection of Sichuan Operas)
(Program Impression of Sichuan Opera)
Wang Fuguo, the consul general of Consulate-general of China in Florence, Ms. Paola Fasano, head of the Education Department of Tuscany, Ms. Gilda Tortora, principal of Machiavelli Middle School of Florence, and more than 150 teachers and students are present to watch the performance. Upon the end of the performance, the delegation led by Consul General Wang and all troupe members take a group photo with Wu Xueyuan, Chinese dean of Pisa Confucius Institute, and other persons. They all speak highly of the wonderful performance of CQU.
(Audience)
(Wang Fuguo, the consul general of Consulate-general of China in Florence, Ms. Paola Fasano, head of the Education Department of Tuscany, and Ms. Gilda Tortora, principal of Machiavelli Middle School of Florence take group photos with performers and staff members.)
(Ms. Gilda Tortora, principal of Machiavelli Middle School of Florence, presents CQU representative with a gift)
A journalist of Italy reports the event as follows: The opening show “opera exercises” reflects the figure of Sichuan opera, with opera contained in exercises, and exercises contained in opera. The Sichuan opera chapter called “Poem on the Moon of Emei Mountain” and the “Wildness” fully exhibit the vocal music of Sichuan opera; the solo dance “Clown” is a perfect combination of local folk culture and dance. The “Collection of Sichuan Operas” allow the audience to appreciate the characteristics of Sichuan Opera, like “gong and drum make up half of the performance” and “martial art is more important than singing”, and enjoy the unique prop “water sleeves” of the female lead heroine of Sichuan opera. The last and most important show is one of “China’s wonders”, face changing. The performer shows the quick change of the emotion of opera figures using his outstanding skills and unique technique in an exaggerating way. The audiences applaud continuously to show their appreciation.
The first college in the world: Celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Chinese partner institution with traditional culture
On October 3, CQU Sichuan Opera Troupe visits University of Bologna, the oldest university in the western countries. It was founded in 1088. October 3 falls on the 80th anniversary day of Renmin University of China, a Chinese partner institution of Confucius Institute of the University of Bologna. At 8:30pm, at the Antoniano Theater of Bolagona, the traditional Chinese culture performance combining colorful clothing, brilliant ribbons, excellent vocal music and marvelous unique techniques impresses the citizens of Bologna. It is also a way to express the best wishes for the 80th anniversary of Renmin University of China.
(“Classical dancing Slim Waist”)
(Program Impression of Sichuan Opera)
(Audience)
The performance has drawn great attention from the media of Italy. A national daily Repubblica has a special edition for the performance. Ms. Xu Ying, the Chinese dean of Confucius Institute of Bologna, has made great efforts on publicizing of the event. She did not only release the forecast of the performance through new media, but also invited more than 200 local persons from different sectors to the show. An overseas Chinese representative, after watching the show with his family, says excitedly that it is really exciting to be able to watch this wonderful performance of Chinese culture and this makes him pride. He then extends his gratitude to Chongqing University.
(Group photo taken with audience)
Into Venice: Celebrating the traditional festival with traditional art
At 7:00pm on October 4, the special performance of CQU Sichuan Opera Troupe “Qufeng Yayun” is on in Venice, the hometown of Marco Polo. Li Shuqing, the Chinese dean of Venice Confucius Institute, extends his sincere gratitude to CQU students and teachers for their wishes given at such a traditional occasion in such a traditional way. She adds that opera is a traditional art of Chinese people. At this Mid-autumn’s Day, it is a great honor for us to be able to enjoy the graceful Sichuan opera art. This performance is a special event as part of the Festival and nothing is going to change our pursuit for art and traditions.
(Solo dance Clown)
(Sichuan Opera Poem on the Moon of Emei Mountain)
At the Auditorium Santa Margherita Theatre, with a history of more than 700 years, the entire performance is much liked by all audiences present. The Sichuan Opera Poem on the Moon of Emei Mountain combines the vocal music of Sichuan opera and the poems of Li Bai. The artistic conception with wine and beautiful scenery arouses the nostalgia and expectations of the audience. Professor Mark, the Italian dean of Venice Confucius Institute and a sinologist, enjoys the Sichuan opera performance with nearly 300 audiences. At the end of the performance, Professor Mark delivers a letter of thanks to the Sichuan Opera Troupe from CQU. The two exchange their gifts after that.
(The performance is much liked by the audience).
(Hu Xuebin, head of the Propaganda Department and a standing member of CPC CQU Committee, presents Venice Confucius Institute with a gift.)
Discussion about Sichuan opera: A bridge for cultural exchange built on traditional art
On October 6, the Troupe arrives at Montpelier, where the fifth performance tour is delivered. Montpelier is one of the most vigorous trading centers in south France. It established the sister city tie with Chengdu in 1981, and is the first city that has done so in Europe. Chengdu Electronic Technology University, the Government of Montpelier, the Education Bureau of Montpelier, the University of Montpelier, and University Paul Valéry have jointly founded the Montpelier Confucius Institute. As Sichuan opera is popular mainly in central Sichuan, Chongqing, Guizhou and part of Yunnan, with distinct regional characteristics, the Chinese and French officials of Montpelier Confucius Institute, who are familiar with Sichuan opera, have concentrated efforts on preparation for the performance. From organization of audience to preparation of the site equipment, from design of the poster to distribution of tickets to audience, from the performance background to the bilingual MC script, the Chinese dean, Ms Ma Yan, and the French dean, Christiane Prigul, both have paid close attention and offered guidance.
(Representatives of CQU and Montpelier Confucius Institute present gifts to each other.)
To ensure a better performance effect, led by the head, the Troupe has translated the introduction to the programs into Italian and French, and has arranged properly for design and printing of the programme, and printing and making of the performance logo. They troupe members have also prepared carefully for the performance by dancing basic skills training, guidance of pronunciation and performing and provision of logistics guarantee. The performance mobilization is also carried out in time to help performers overcome the fatigue and tiredness from the continuous performance. At 8:00pm, the show begins formally. The last program, face changing, meets with constant applause of the audience. It also marks the climax of the education and cultural exchange between Chengdu, Chongqing and Montpelier.
(Program Impression of Sichuan Opera)
(Audiences interact with performers.)
Classical performance delivered at the ancient castle: Wonderful traditional opera show at French Riviera
On the morning of October 9, when the day just breaks, the instructors of CQU Sichuan Opera Troupe and the teachers arrive at the beach of Venice, to do a morning rehearsal of the last performance. On 1:00pm, the coach arrives at the University of Nice. The Troupe members walk into the ancient castle built at the end of the 19th Century. The mobilization and rehearsal are then started. The performance is the first “three-tour” performance sponsored by Office of Chinese Language Council International, undertaken by French Riviera Confucius Institute jointly founded by the University of Nice, Tianjin University, the government of Nice and the University of Riviera, since its inauguration.
(Morning exercise by the sea)
At 7:00pm, Huang Xiaomin, the Chinese dean of French Riviera Confucius Institute, and head of the Department of Chinese Literature of the University of Nice, presides over the activity. She gives a brief introduction to Chongqing, Chongqing University and the cultural background of Sichuan opera, and extends her sincere gratitude and welcome to the Chongqing Sichuan Opera Troupe. Before start of the performance, Hu Xuebin, a standing member of CPC CQU Committee, and head of the Propaganda Department, and the head of the Troupe, Xiaomin GIAFFERRI, the French dean of the Institute, and Ms. Su Bo, Chinese dean of the Institute, meet and exchange with each other, and reach an agreement on further artistic exchange between the two institutions.
(Hu Xuebin, a standing member of CPC CQU Committee, and head of the Propaganda Department, on behalf of Chongqing University, exchanges gifts with Huang Xiaomin, the Chinese dean of French Riviera Confucius Institute, and head of the Department of Chinese Literature of the University of Nice.)
The elegance of the castle, gracefulness of dance steps, brilliance of costumes, special appearance of actors and actress and excellence of their unique performance has greatly impressed the audience. The performance is brought to a perfect end in the constant applauses of the audience. The officials of French Riviera Confucius Institute and University of Nice and the audience then take group photos with the performers as a way to celebrate the success of the performance.
(Opening dance Opera Exercises)
(Program Impression of Sichuan Opera)
(Audience)
(Performers interact with one of the audiences)
(The performers and staff members and representatives of French Riviera Confucius Institute)
