A scene of Ta Yao Ji, a piece of Wuju opera. [Photo/jhnews.com.cn]

The 15th Zhejiang Opera Festival will open in Jinhua in early December, according to local media outlets.

A total of 30 dramatic works were selected to be staged and compete for the top award at this year's event. The festival will run for 18 days.

In addition to drama performances and competitions, this year's event will include online shows of fine opera works, a photography competition, and an exhibition showcasing customs provided by the Plum Performance Award, China's top award for theater and opera performances.

The Zhejiang Opera Festival is the province's most distinctive and influential cultural event for professional operas. It is an important event for the performance arts and helps launch new dramatic artists. It is held every three years.

In addition, the 2022 China (Jinhua) Li Yu Opera Festival will be held simultaneously.

Jinhua, the birth place of Wuju opera, is the hometown of Li Yu, a playwright, novelist and publisher who lived in the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). His dramatic works were known for their playful and colloquial style that was extremely appealing to mass audiences.

The city hosts the Li Yu Opera Festival every two years to promote the preservation of traditional Chinese dramas.