Deep in the mountains in Longli County, Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, there is a grassroots troupe performing Taiping Huadengxi, or Taiping lantern opera.
Combining singing and dancing, Taiping Huadengxi is a traditional local opera in Guizhou and was enlisted as a provincial intangible cultural heritage in 2019.
Most troupe members are ordinary farmers, who gather together after their farm work to rehearse scenes and exchange experience. The ages of its members range from 8 to 87 years old. On holidays, they often visit nearby villages to perform for villagers, enriching their cultural lives.
Members of a local opera troupe rehearse in Longshan Township, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 7, 2022. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)
Members of a local opera troupe rehearse in Longshan Township, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 7, 2022. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)
Members of a local opera troupe head for a rehearsal in Longshan Township, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 7, 2022. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)
Members of a local opera troupe rehearse in Longshan Township, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 7, 2022. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)
Members of a local opera troupe rehearse in Longshan Township, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 7, 2022. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)
A member of a local opera troupe puts on costumes in Longshan Township, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 6, 2022. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)
Members of a local opera troupe put on costumes in Longshan Township, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 6, 2022. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)
A member of a local opera troupe puts on make-ups before performance in Longshan Township, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 6, 2022. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)
Members of a local opera troupe head for a rehearsal in Longshan Township, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 7, 2022. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)
A member of a local opera troupe puts on make-ups before performance in Longshan Township, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Feb. 6, 2022. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)
