Small but loud: Xinjiang Opera echoes on the Silk Road

Xinjiang Opera artists perform in Barkol Kazak autonomous county, Xinjiang, June 30, 2015. [Photo/xjblk.gov.cn]

The 5th Xinjiang Opera cultural week was unveiled in Hutubi country, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Tuesday.

As one of the first batch of China's National Intangible Cultural Heritages to be listed, the Xinjiang Opera, or Xinjiang qu zi, often features humorous stories or well-known anecdotes by the performers.

The opera combines the essence of Shannxi Opera, Lanzhou Drum (Lanzhou gu zi), and Qinghai Opera (Qinghai ping xian). The ethnic music of Xinjiang also adds to Xinjiang Opera's final form.

It is very popular among local elders . Yet in recent years, the younger generation also become interested in Xinjiang opera.

"We must keep on trying new creative things to keep the Xinjiang Opera robust," said Wang Xiaohui, a representative from the Xinjiang Opera Club in Urumqi.

The cultural week aims to preserve opera through communication with more people.

"We were very inspired by Peking Opera during the creative process," said Li Qingsheng, a Xinjiang Opera performer.

Opera performers and scholars from more than 10 provinces and cities attended the event.