On November 19, Dashilar welcomed a grand feast of Peking Opera culture—the 2024 Dashilar Peking Opera Festival officially kicked off at the Huguo Guanyin Temple. Spanning nearly two weeks, the festival encompasses the Huguo Guanyin Temple and surrounding cultural landmarks in the Dashilar area. During the opening ceremony, key Peking Opera landmarks in Dashilar, including Guangdelou, Sanqingyuan, Zhengyi Theater, Daguanlou, the Mei Lanfang Memorial Hall, and the Liyuan Guild Hall, were presented with landmark plaques.

The Dashilar Peking Opera Festival is divided into four main chapters, creating an immersive cultural experience that combines entertainment, education, sightseeing, and consumption. The first chapter, Singing Timeless Classics: Reviving the Glory of the Opera World, runs from November 18 to 28. During this period, the National Peking Opera Company, Jingju Theater Company of Beijing, and inheritors of various opera schools will present four public benefit performances at Guangdelou, Sanqingyuan, Zhengyi Theater, and the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center. These performances aim to recreate the splendor of the traditional opera stage, allowing audiences to fully appreciate the artistic charm of Peking Opera.

The second chapter, Recalling the Elegance of the Past: City Walk Exploration, introduces an innovative Dashilar Peking Opera Discovery Hutong Tour City Walk route. Spanning 3.5 kilometers, the route passes through nine culturally rich sites steeped in Peking Opera heritage, including Jingyun Garden, Baishun Hutong, and the ancestral home of Mei Lanfang. Participants can stroll through these iconic locations, experiencing a journey through time and immersing themselves in the historical splendor of Peking Opera.

The third chapter, Becoming a Model of Heritage: Exhibition on the Birthplace of Peking Opera, features a meticulously curated exhibition that uses digital technology to revive the rich memories of Peking Opera in Dashilar.

The fourth chapter, Championing Cultural Creativity: A Wave of Peking Opera-Inspired Creations, presents the Dashilar Peking Opera Cultural Market in conjunction with the Dashilar-Liulichang Boutique Cultural Market. Featuring activities such as Peking Opera makeup, costume experiences, and trendy cultural creative products, the market offers residents a comprehensive experience that combines appreciation, entertainment, exploration, and shopping.

Translator: BAI Jing

Reviewer: WANG Yu