The Belt and Road Art Talent Training Program 2023 was successfully carried from 15 June to 4 July, thanks to the careful planning of the International Exchange Centre of Shanghai Theatre Academy. Through learning traditional Chinese folk music and traditional Chinese opera, the program focused on exploring the aesthetics of Chinese opera, the relationship between music and performance, and the interweaving connection between the Chinese tradition and the culture of the countries along the Belt and Road in terms of the artistic expression in Chinese opera, so as to enable the students from these countries to learn and appreciate Chinese culture and art in a multi-dimensional, multi-angle and multi-facet manner.
In order for the foreign students to have more in-depth learning of Chinese culture, the teachers at the College of Traditional Chinese Opera did their very best to teach. Teachers such as Li Qiuping, Tong Qiang, Wang Kai, Qin Hao and Yu Xiang taught the students by precept and example in singing, recitation, acting and acrobatics. Inspired by the enthusiasm of the teachers, the students studied even harder. At the end of the program, the students all said that they had gained a lot and therefore became more passionate about Chinese culture.
Professor Gong Baorong provided students with an in-depth interpretation of the phenomenon of cultural misreading in Sino-foreign interactions. The students listened with great interest. They asked questions and engaged in warm discussions, showing the similarities and differences between different ethnic cultures.
Professor Peng Yongwen's "Tai Chi and Tao Te Ching" class emphasized the integration of knowledge and action, and featured experience-based teaching. He led the foreign students to recite the 12 chapters of “Tao Te Ching”, and guided them to understand the Taoist philosophy in combination with experiencing Tai Chi exercises.
Professor Sun Huizhu analyzed the debate over performance theory in cross-cultural theatre from the theoretical dimension of "from expression of performers to expression the performance". The students actively engaged in lively and interesting performances in class based on specific theories. Finally, Teacher Xu Jiali gave the demonstrations, which received unanimous praise from the students.
Besides, in the spare time, the school thoughtfully organized the foreign students to visit the tourist and cultural attractions in Shanghai, including the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, Zhujiajiao Ancient Town etc, and also organized them to observe a number of Chinese opera performances, such as “Peony Pavilion”, “Miss Julie” and “The Dream of Red Mansions”. The students gained a deeper understanding and insight into the beauty of China, and exclaimed a lot in admiration along the way.
In the 20-day summer school on traditional Chinese opera, the foreign students overcame some difficulties in language and life, worked hard to practice and made constant progress. They did an impressive job in the final showcase, and won enthusiastic applause from the audience. Finally, Zhang Yunlei, Director of the International Exchange Centre, presented the certificates of complete to all students in recognition of their good work.
