The opening ceremony of the 80th anniversary of the Southwest Drama Exhibition was held in Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on April 20.

Notably, Ouyang Yuqian, a celebrated Chinese playwright and director who served as the first president of the Central Academy of Drama, left an indelible mark on Guilin's cultural landscape. In 1940, he spearheaded the establishment of the Guangxi Provincial Art Center, one of China's earliest professional theaters dedicated to staging plays, and served as its inaugural president. Ouyang played a crucial role in revitalizing Guiju Opera, a traditional Chinese opera form originating in Guilin during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and authored several Guiju Opera plays.

In 1944, Ouyang and Tian Han, a longtime friend and dramatist, jointly launched the Exhibition of Dramatic Arts, which brought together over 30 theater companies and more than 1,000 theater artists, presenting over 170 plays in nearly 100 days. Renamed the Southwest Drama Exhibition, the event became a phenomenon and garnered widespread acclaim, particularly for its role in uplifting spirits during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).

The upcoming event will feature award-winning Chinese plays, such as Teacher Guimei, adapted from the real story of rural teacher Zhang Guimei, presented by the Yunnan Drama Theater, and The Homecoming, directed by Taiwan theater director Li Tsung-hsi. Additionally, smaller theater productions will also be showcased during the celebration.

Of the 39 works that will be showcased, 22 theatrical productions will be available for live streaming online. This digital platform ensures that the cultural extravaganza is accessible to a broader audience, inviting everyone to be part of this celebration.

The drama performance at the Southwest Drama Exhibition. [Photo/Guangxi Daily]