Melodies of silk-and-bamboo strings filled the air, and the rhythms of gongs
and drums resonated in the hall. Bathed in the golden hues of fall, Stockholm and
Malm?, two renowned Swedish cities were mesmerized by the Chinese opera. From September
23 to 27, 2025, Chinese Opera Cultural Week, jointly organized by the National Academy
of Chinese Theatre Arts (hereafter NACTA) and the China Culture Center in Stockholm,
was successfully held. The event marked the first large-scale cultural exchange program
with Chinese Opera (used interchangeably with xiqu in this article) as its theme since the establishment of diplomatic relations between
China and Sweden. It showcased the unique artistic charm of traditional Chinese Opera
in two major Swedish cities, leaving a brilliant cultural imprint on the 75 years
of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Chinese Opera Cultural Week Makes a Debut in Stockholm; Chinese and Swedish Guests
Celebrate an Opera Gala
Featuring performances of Peking Opera classics, Chinese Opera Cultural Week
presented multiple facades of Chinese opera, including screenings of Chinese opera
films, exhibitions of stage art, and diverse activities such as lectures and workshops.
On September 23, the opening ceremony of Chinese Opera Cultural Week was held at the
China Cultural Center in Stockholm, Sweden’s capital. Nearly one hundred guests attended
the event, including Yin Xiaodong, President of NACTA; Li Rui, Director, and Dai Weihong,
Deputy Director of the China Cultural Center in Stockholm; representatives from the
Chinese Embassy in Sweden; members of Sweden’s cultural circles; overseas Chinese
residing in Sweden; and local audiences. Although China and Sweden are geographically
distant, in his remarks, Yin Xiaodong expressed that their pursuit of truth, goodness,
and beauty is aligned. He expressed hope that the cultural week would allow Swedish
audiences to gain an in-depth understanding of the cultural implications and aesthetic
spirit of Chinese opera, brought by the commitment of opera practitioners to upholding
tradition while embracing innovation. Dai Weihong emphasized that Chinese opera boasts
a long and rich history, standing out as a resplendent jewel with its unique charm
on the world stage. She articulated a vision that Chinese Opera Cultural Week would
serve as a bridge to promote cultural exchange and strengthen friendship between China
and Sweden.
Featuring performances of Peking Opera classics, Chinese Opera Cultural Week
presented multiple facades of Chinese opera, including screenings of Chinese opera
films, exhibitions of stage art, and diverse activities such as lectures and workshops.
On September 23, the opening ceremony of Chinese Opera Cultural Week was held at the
China Cultural Center in Stockholm, Sweden’s capital. Nearly one hundred guests attended
the event, including Yin Xiaodong, President of NACTA; Li Rui, Director, and Dai Weihong,
Deputy Director of the China Cultural Center in Stockholm; representatives from the
Chinese Embassy in Sweden; members of Sweden’s cultural circles; overseas Chinese
residing in Sweden; and local audiences. Although China and Sweden are geographically
distant, in his remarks, Yin Xiaodong expressed that their pursuit of truth, goodness,
and beauty is aligned. He expressed hope that the cultural week would allow Swedish
audiences to gain an in-depth understanding of the cultural implications and aesthetic
spirit of Chinese opera, brought by the commitment of opera practitioners to upholding
tradition while embracing innovation. Dai Weihong emphasized that Chinese opera boasts
a long and rich history, standing out as a resplendent jewel with its unique charm
on the world stage. She articulated a vision that Chinese Opera Cultural Week would
serve as a bridge to promote cultural exchange and strengthen friendship between China
and Sweden.
The opening ceremony program included a “China’s Stories” lecture series,
where Professor Li Yanyan delivered a lecture titled “Exploring the Beauty of Peking
Opera”. With a combination of explanations and demonstrations, she vividly elucidated
the role types and performance techniques of Peking Opera, as well as its distinctive
artistic features. The program’s “Face-to-Face with Peking Opera Masters” session
connected the audience with Li Shengsu, a renowned Peking Opera performer and a specially
Appointed Professor of NACTA, Associate Professors Ma Shuai and Li Yanyan from the
Department of Peking Opera and Kunqu Opera, as well as outstanding alumnus and young
performer Guo Zhufeng from China National Peking Opera Company (CNPOC). They engaged
in an in-depth discussion centered on Baishe zhuan (The Legend of the White Snake), sharing their creative insights and artistic reflections
on this production. At the conclusion of the opening ceremony, Li Shengsu invited
the audience to join her in singing the Peking opera aria “Lihua song” (Ode to the Pear Blossom). Sustained applause filled the venue as the atmosphere
reached a climax. This memorable moment became a lasting snapshot of cultural exchange
between China and Sweden, leaving an enduring impression on this artistic celebration.
During the week, an exhibition of Chinese xiqu stage art titled “Splendid Colors of the Painted Stage” was open to public. Around
the same time, five Peking Opera movies— Suolinnang (The Lucky Purse), Da nao tiangong (Havoc in Heaven), Yangmen nvjiang (Women Generals of the Yang Family), as well as Cantonese Opera film Baishe Zhuan: Qing (White Snake) and Fujian Opera film Shuangdian shan (Twin Butterflies Fan)—were screened on a rotating basis at the China Cultural Center
in Stockholm.
Poster for Peking Opera film Suolinnang
Poster for the Beijing Opera film Havoc in Heaven
Poster for Peking Opera film Women Generals of the Yang family
Poster for the Cantonese Opera film The White Snake
Poster for the Min Opera film Twin Butterflies Fan
The Legend of the White Snake Mesmerizes the Oscar Theatre—A Magnificent Artistic
Tribute to the National Day Reception
Live at the Oscar Theatre
On the evening of September 24, the Chinese Embassy in Sweden hosted a reception
performance at the Oscar Theatre in Stockholm, in celebration of the 76th anniversary
of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The theatre was filled to its capacity,
with waves of applause echoing throughout the hall. The grand opening performance
of the full-length Peking Opera Baishe zhuan (The Legend of the White Snake) served as the centerpiece event of both the reception
and Chinese Opera Cultural Week. Nearly one thousand guests attended the performance,
including Benjamin Dousa, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign
Trade of Sweden, friends from various fields, diplomats, overseas Chinese compatriots,
as well as representatives from Chinese enterprises and students in Sweden. At the
opening of the evening, Cui Aimin, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to
Sweden, delivered welcoming remarks and expressed sincere appreciation to the Chinese
artists who had traveled from afar.
Poster of the Peking Opera The Legend of the White Snake
The performance was led by the renowned Peking Opera artist Li Shengsu, head
of the First Troupe of the China National Peking Opera Company. Joining her in the
performance were Ma Shuai, Li Yanyan, Jiao Jingge, Guo Zhufeng and others, the cast
brought a series of vivid characters to life on stage through their passionate performances.
Iconic scenes such as Shui dou (The Battle of Waters) and Duan qiao (The Broken Bridge) seamlessly combined civil and martial elements, unfolding on
a grand scale. The performers’ exquisite technique and outstanding stage presentation
moved both Chinese and international audiences. As the curtain fell, prolonged applause
and enthusiastic cheers filled the theatre, offering the highest praise for this extraordinary
artistic feast. Many local audience members remarked with excitement that this was
their first time experiencing the direct impact of the unparalleled expressive power
of Chinese opera.
Classic Peking Opera Excerpts Shine in Malm?—Swedish Students Take the Stage
Poster for “Chinese Opera Cultural Week”
On September 26, Chinese Opera Cultural Week arrived in Malm?, Sweden’s third-largest
city, where the Gala of Classic Peking Opera Excerpts Performance brought the Cultural
Week to a successful conclusion at Slagthuset Theatre. Supported by the China Cultural
Center in Stockholm, the event was co-hosted by NACTA and the Consulate General of
China in Gothenburg. It received strong support from organizations including the Swedish
Chinese Federation, the Swedish Sm?land Chinese Association, Hua Ding Chinese-Swedish
Cultural Association, and Chinese Students and Scholars Association at Lund University.
Yang Peidong, Consul General of China in Gothenburg, remarked that Chinese opera is
a treasure of Chinese culture and a calling card for international cultural exchange.
Some of the evening’s performance featured Swedish performers collaborating with Chinese
artists, serving as a fine example of mutual learning and exchange between Chinese
and Swedish cultures. Yang expressed hope that the performance would further spark
Swedish audiences’ interest in Chinese culture and deepen their understanding of China
and its people. Remarks were also offered by Wang Yuan, Deputy Head of the delegation
from NACTA; Wang Hongjiang, President of the Swedish Chinese Federation; and Wang
Jun, President of the Hua ding Chinese-Swedish Cultural Association of Malm?.
The Gala presented four classic Peking Opera excerpts to demonstrate the integrated
artistic beauty of Chinese opera—Shi yuzhuo (Picking up the Jade Bracelet), San cha kou (At the Crossroads), Baishe zhuan: youhu (The Legend of the White Snake: Sightseeing at West Lake), and Da nao tiangong (Havoc in Heaven). One of the evening’s highlights was the outstanding performance
of Timothy Pilotti, a Swedish student from NACTA, who portrayed Liu Lihua in San cha kou. His appearance on stage stood as a testament to the growth of Sino-Swedish cultural
exchange and a living illustration of the principle that “Each beauty has its own
beauty, and all beauties coexist in harmony.”
In the audience were renowned pianist Magnus Sven Martensson, Stephen Huang,
former director of Linnaeus University and Halmstad University, and think tank expert
Jan Oberg. They agreed that culture serves as the strongest bond to bring people closer.
The audience described the performance as the most brilliant and captivating cultural
display they had ever seen, surpassing their prior understanding and expectations
of traditional Chinese culture. Such events, they noted, are highly beneficial for
enhancing the understanding of China and promoting exchanges between the two peoples.
They expressed hope for more opportunities to engage with and learn about China in
the future, with a firm belief that cultural and artistic exchanges will undoubtedly
bring a brighter future to Chinese-Swedish regional cooperation and people-to-people
friendship.
Multifaceted and In-Depth Cultural Exchange from Leadership to the Grassroots
On September 23, Mr. and Mrs. Ambassador Cui warmly received Yin Xiaodong,
President of NACTA, and his delegation at the Chinese Embassy in Sweden. Ambassador
Cui welcomed the delegation and affirmed the important role of Chinese Opera Cultural
Week in advancing Sino-Swedish cultural exchange, expressing hope that NACTA would
play an even more active role in promoting bilateral cooperation.
Ambassador Cui Aimin is giving a speech.
On the same day, the delegation visited the historic Royal Court Theatre at
Drottningholm Palace, where they engaged in productive discussions with opera artist
Alexandra Büchel and others on the history and development of theatrical arts in China
and Sweden. Both sides showed interest in collaborations, and reached preliminary
intentions for joint productions.
On September 25, the delegation visited Stockholm University of the Arts,
where they had conversations with faculty and students on topics such as talent cultivation
and cross-cultural theatrical creation. Professor Li Yanyan delivered a lively lecture
on Chinese opera to theatre performance students. Notably, many attendees had watched
The Legend of the White Snake. Their enthusiasm in the discussion was fueled by the fresh memories from the performance
the previous evening. The atmosphere was warm, lively, and engaging.
Students and faculty visit
During Chinese Opera Cultural Week, the charm of Chinese opera extended beyond
the boundaries of traditional theatre spaces into streets and alleys. A series of
eye-catching Peking Opera pop-up shows were performed at several landmarks across
southern Sweden, including Malm?’s HSB Turning Torso and Dania Waterfront Park, Lund
Cathedral, and Lund University. Students from the Peking Opera and Kunqu Opera Department
of NACTA, including the Swedish student Timothy Pilotti, made a stunning appearance.
Their elaborate makeup, exquisite costumes, and graceful movements captivated residents
and visitors alike, who stopped to watch and lined up to take photos with the performers.
During breaks between these performances, NACTA faculty and students also engaged
with nearly one hundred Chinese and Swedish opera enthusiasts. While in Malm?, NACTA
organized the Exhibition of Chinese Xiqu Stage Art “Splendid Colors of the Painted Stage” and hosted activities such as Peking
Opera lectures and facial makeup painting workshops for overseas Chinese and opera
lovers. This encounter between Eastern and Western cultures offered the Swedish public
an up-close experience of Peking Opera set in enthusiasm and joy.
Peking opera pop-up performance
Dania Waterfront Park.
Lund Cathedral
In front of the library of Lund University
Chinese Opera Cultural Week received extensive coverage from multiple official
websites and platforms as well as major media outlets, including the website of Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of China, the official platforms of the Chinese Embassy in Sweden,
the Consulate General in Gothenburg, and the China Cultural Center in Stockholm, Xinhua
News Agency, People’s Daily, and People’s Network International Channel.
With echoes lingering and resonance enduring, the seeds of friendship Chinese
Opera Cultural Week has sown between China and Sweden are taking root and flourishing.
With its unique rhythm and lasting charm, Chinese opera has become a heartfelt bond
connecting the peoples of the two nations. Looking ahead, NACTA will continue to uphold
its cultural mission, explore new possibilities for exchange and cooperation, and
introducing the allure of Chinese opera across the world, contributing to the mutual
learning and appreciation of civilizations worldwide.
