The Zhejiang Wuju Opera troupe poses for a group photo before flying to Czech Republic on Jan 23. [Photo provided to ezhejiang.gov.cn]

The Zhejiang Wuju Opera troupe embarked on a nine-day performance tour to the Czech Republic on Jan 23 in the hope of spreading the festivity of the Chinese Lunar New Year with people in the Central European country.

A major participant from Zhejiang in the annual "Happy Chinese New Year" celebrations initiated by China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the troupe of 35 performers will stage five shows with distinctive Chinese characteristics in the Czech cities of Prague, Ostrava and Olomouc.

In addition to traditional Chinese plays, music and kung fu, the troupe will also present Czech music to give a local twist to their Chinese New Year greetings.

It is the eleventh consecutive year that Zhejiang's Wuju Opera troupe has toured abroad for the "Happy Chinese New Year" celebrations. So far, it has brought over 300 opera performances to 42 countries and regions. The widespread opera art is displaying the unique charm of Chinese culture on the global stage and helping further the cultural exchanges between China and the outside world.

A scene of a Wuju Opera show [Photo provided to ezhejiang.gov.cn]