The Yueju Opera drama the Butterfly Lovers, performed by a troupe from Shaoxing, Zhejiang province, enjoys great popularity in China. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

Shaoxing's opera troupe will perform the traditional Yueju Opera Butterfly Lovers, a love story akin to Romeo and Juliet, at the 24th Sibiu International Theatre Festival in Romania in June.

The group's production of the Butterfly Lovers has gained huge popularity in China since it was first staged in 2008. More than 200,000 people in cities all across the country have seen one of the 250 performances over that period.

Supported by China's Ministry of Culture and Zhejiang province's Culture Department, the troupe is now embarking on a world tour to promote Chinese opera in Romania.

"This cultural exchange with Romania is a reflection of China's strong connection with countries along the Belt and Road Initiative," said Qiu Jianping, general manager of a State-owned cultural company promoting Yueju Opera in Shaoxing. "It will also bring chances to promote the opera to international society and boost local tourism."

Qiu also pledged that the troupe will keep an eye on globalization and actively communicate with people from Central and Eastern European countries at different activities.

The Sibiu International Theatre Festival, one of the most prestigious cultural festivals in Romania, is an annual event for promoting performance arts. The performances are recommended by an artistic board and one can join in the festival only by invitation.

A news conference is held on June 1 in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province, announcing that the Butterfly Lovers, a Yueju Opera drama, will be performed at the 24th Sibiu International Theatre Festival in Romania in June. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]