The 2025 Chinese Opera (Kunshan) Festival commenced on September 8, 2025, in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province. Co-organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government, this year’s festival emphasizes martial arts theater while celebrating the rich legacy of traditional Chinese opera.
Highlighting the Art of Martial Arts Theater
Building on previous festivals that showcased classic roles such as Sheng (male), Dan (female), Jing (painted face), and Chou (clown), this edition features martial arts performances by six esteemed masters of Chinese opera. Throughout the festival, which runs until September 20, audiences can watch 20 martial artists from across the country participate in ten collaborative performances, illustrating the ongoing efforts to preserve and innovate within this traditional art form.
At the opening ceremony, notable achievements were recognized. Participants selected for the 2025 National Leading Talent Development Program for Chinese Opera received certificates. Additionally, institutions honored by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for their Outstanding Opera Production Initiatives from 2020 to 2024 were also celebrated.
Comprehensive Programs and Activities
This year’s festival features five core programs, including the opening and closing ceremonies, a national showcase dedicated to martial arts theater, invited performances of acclaimed productions, opera symposia, and initiatives aimed at preserving endangered opera forms. In addition, five extension programs have been introduced. These include activities for opera exchange and promotion, the “Watch Opera, Visit Jiangsu” cultural tourism campaign, a special exhibition at the Chinese Opera Museum, a traditional opera cultural marketplace, and a digital promotion platform.
Over the course of the festival, a total of 39 performances will showcase 107 productions from 53 ensembles, representing 31 distinct opera traditions. Performances and activities will take place in various venues, including traditional theaters, historic towns, museums, universities, and scenic locations, providing audiences with immersive cultural experiences.
Kunshan, recognized as the birthplace of Kunqu Opera, the earliest form of Chinese opera, is hosting this festival for the seventh consecutive year. To further guide the development of traditional opera, a new three-year action plan has been introduced. From 2018 to 2024, the festival showcased 348 opera genres, including puppetry and shadow theater, involving 494 organizations that staged 295 performances featuring 606 excerpts, attracting record audiences both in person and through online platforms.
The ongoing festival not only honors the past but also aims to inspire future generations of artists and enthusiasts alike, ensuring that the vibrant tradition of Chinese opera continues to thrive.
