The 2026 Peking Opera Culture Season, themed "Revitalizing National Essence, Enjoying Peking Opera in Xicheng" (国粹焕彩 京聚西城), officially kicked off in Beijing on September 14. Featuring professional performances, academic seminars, cross-disciplinary innovation and public cultural programs, the season will offer a series of events from September to November.

The opening ceremony

The season features four flagship cultural programs. A nationwide campaign titled "Classic Melodies and New Voices: Opera Charm in Xicheng" (古韵新声 戏韵西城) is calling for original Peking Opera songs that blend traditional pi-huang (xipi and erhuang, the two main types of melody in Peking opera) vocal styles with contemporary music. A China-chic themed show titled "Inheriting Opera Beauty, Leading New Trends in Xicheng" (粉墨续章 潮启西城) explores contemporary expressions of the aesthetics of traditional opera as intangible cultural heritage and brings together design schools and cultural and creative brands to present a vibrant celebration of opera-inspired aesthetics. Public screenings of opera films and videos will be held at Zhong Hua Cinema, district cultural centers and community venues across Xicheng. "Opera in Guild Halls" (会馆有戏) will take place on the century-old stage at Beijing Huguang Guild Hall, with a series of high-quality free performances offering audiences an immersive experience of the ancient capital's elegance and the refined charm of traditional opera.

From September to November, the 2026 Peking Opera Culture Season will use opera as a medium to connect theaters, communities, campuses and commercial districts, offering residents across the city a shared celebration of Peking Opera.

(Source: Cnr.cn)