There's a Chinese saying: \"One minute on stage takes 10 years of practice off stage.\" At Gaoping Secondary Vocational School in Jincheng City, Shanxi Province, students learning Shangdang Bangzi, or Shangdang wooden clapper opera, embody this saying every day.
From somersaults and rolls to cartwheels, leaps, and spins, these young performers endure rigorous training routines. Their dedication and passion for this traditional art form are the driving forces behind their relentless practice and perseverance.
Shangdang Bangzi is the most prominent local traditional opera form in Jincheng and one of the four major wooden clapper operas in Shanxi. With a history spanning over 400 years, this art form was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2006.
Thanks to the commitment of generations of opera performers, this cultural treasure continues to be passed down and flourish, ensuring that Shangdang Bangzi remains a vibrant part of Shanxi's rich cultural landscape.
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From passion to profession: Inheriting Shangdang wooden clapper opera
cgtn.com
