Various performances are staged at the Vienna International Center. [Photo/wzrb.com.cn]

Gu Haohao, a distinguished Kunqu opera performer from Wenzhou and chairperson of the Shanghai Dramatists Association, led the Shanghai Magnolia Stage Performance Award-winning troupe to the Vienna International Center on May 8 local time.

The performance, part of the 2024 Vienna United Nations Chinese Language Day events, was a vibrant display of China's cultural confidence in the new era.

The show opened with a Yunnan folk song and featured over 10 Magnolia Award recipients performing classic Chinese opera excerpts, receiving nonstop applause. The event was a testament to the rich cultural heritage of traditional Chinese dramas and the inclusive spirit of Shanghai's culture.

After the show, a UN staff member from Vienna named Tony eagerly approached the Peking opera performers to learn how to wield the long silk ribbon, saying, "I am really interested in Chinese opera and culture, and I am delighted to see such a wonderful performance here!"

Ambassador Li Song praised the performance as one of the best he has seen at the Vienna International Center. Gu, who also serves as the artistic director for the Nanxi Opera Classic Culture Week from Wenzhou, expressed her desire to bring the Wenzhou Nanxi opera to the UN stage, showcasing the unique charm of Nanxi opera's birthplace.

Following the performance, Gu conducted a Kunqu opera art lecture, sharing the history and charm of the art form and her personal journey in theater. The event, attended by many from Wenzhou, was a celebration of traditional Chinese opera's elegance and contributed to the global promotion of Chinese culture.