Chongqing - Chen Qiujin, a Sichuan Opera performer, has captivated numerous fans with her quintessential Sichuan-girl charm, featuring a round face, sweet smile, and cheerful personality. Demonstrating her expertise in the traditional art form, Chen has skillfully performed the play Da Bing. She is set to showcase her talent at the West Kowloon Cultural District's Xiqu Center in Hong Kong on April 30th.

Chen Qiujin, a Sichuan Opera performer, has won the hearts of many fans with her round face, sweet smile, and cheerful personality. (Photo/Zhao Xin)

Chen hopes her upcoming performance will captivate a wider Hong Kong audience, particularly young people, and inspire them to appreciate and cherish this traditional art form.

Born in Yibin, Sichuan, in 1993, Chen joined the Chongqing Sichuan Opera Theater in 2009. As early as 2007, she won the 11th China's Little Plum Blossom opera award for Chinese children, securing her status as one of the first Sichuan "Little Plum Blossoms."

She later had the privilege of being trained by Shen Tiemei, a "Plum Blossom Award" winner and a renowned Sichuan Opera performer. The traditional Sichuan Opera play Da Bing led Chen Qiujin to the art form and has since earned her numerous accolades, including the "New Star Award for Stage Art in Chongqing."

As a young Sichuan Opera performer born in the 1990s, Chen often reflects on how to entice more young people like herself to embrace this art form.

"Sichuan Opera is captivating, with engaging performances, vocal styles, costumes, and makeup. These beautiful elements resonate with young people. I always recommend and invite my friends to watch Sichuan Opera performances. Only by attending more shows can we develop an appreciation for the beauty of Sichuan Opera and learn to enjoy this art form from our hearts," she said.

Chen believes that young Sichuan Opera performers play a vital role in preserving and advancing the tradition. "The responsibility of promoting Sichuan Opera in the future will fall on us. We must take responsibility, be proud of the art we practice, and possess a strong professional ethic and cultural confidence. We are responsible for advocating Sichuan Opera with passion and persistence, delving into the true essence of the art. Only with the commitment to the development of Sichuan Opera can we make progress and influence and attract more people."