Chongqing- On June 3, Chongqing Sichuan Opera Art Center presented the Sichuan opera The Legend of the White Snake, a familiar folk tale to the Chinese people, to the public. In addition to the audience who experienced the charm of Sichuan opera up close, there were a group of special "audiences" from overseas for this play.

The performance of the Sichuan opera "The Legend of the White Snake". (iChongqing/ Luo Jia)

Through the live-stream from the "Faces of Chinese Opera" Chongqing-ASEAN Youth Theatre Exchange Initiative on overseas platforms, students from 50 ASEAN universities experienced the charm of traditional Chinese culture online and appreciated the performance skills such as face changing and fire breathing in Sichuan Opera.

The Special skills of Sichuan Opera - fire breathing. (iChongqing/ Luo Jia)

At the beginning of 2021, the Chongqing-ASEAN Youth Theatre Exchange Initiative was launched for 50 schools in Chongqing and 50 schools in 10 ASEAN countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. The event will run throughout the year. Through a combination of online and offline forms, activities such as Sichuan opera live-streams, learning Sichuan opera face changing, and Sichuan opera face creation will be carried out.

The performance of the Sichuan opera The Legend of the White Snake. (iChongqing/ Luo Jia)

Youngsters from ASEAN countries have a strong curiosity about Chinese culture, and theater is one of the most classic ways to reflect Chinese culture. As one of the unique and charming ancient plays, Sichuan opera can be a bridge between Chinese and foreign youths.

The series of livestreams will last until August 1. The activity will display 50 of the most exciting and eye-catching plays from Chongqing Sichuan Opera Art Center, Chongqing Peking Opera Theatre, Chongqing Drama Arts Center, and other professional institutions and groups online.

In addition, 50 schools in Chongqing will be selected to open 50 drama workshops, and 50 schools in ASEAN will be paired to interact with each other for cultural promotion and exchange. Famous theater artists and professional actors from Chengdu and Chongqing will serve as instructors of the "Academy" and teach the students about Sichuan opera.

In the creative activity, students will set up "face painting workshops" in schools, homes, off-campus studios, or DIY rooms under the online guidance of tutors, and paint Sichuan Opera faces on pebbles, cups, T-shirts, and other carriers.