To promote the international communication of China’s fine traditional culture, the School of International Education recently launched a summer study course on Huangmei Opera, a national intangible cultural heritage, for international students, allowing overseas learners to immerse themselves in the oriental artistic charm of this heritage.

Breaking the single lecture-based teaching model, the course adopts an integrated approach combining theoretical introduction, opera appreciation, hands-on training and on-site experience. Guided by professional Huangmei Opera instructors, the curriculum is tailored to the learning characteristics of international students. In class, Teacher Sun Wei, a Huangmei Opera specialist, demonstrated opera hand gestures, stage steps, body movements and expressions in detail. International students imitated each movement and practiced repeatedly. The event also included a costume experience session. Students eagerly tried on exquisite costumes for roles such as huadan (female lead) and xiaosheng (young male lead). Dressed in the costumes, they reproduced classic postures and directly appreciated the craftsmanship aesthetics and role features of traditional opera garments. From watching classic excerpts to learning to sing them, the progressive experience helped international students fully understand the profound cultural heritage behind Huangmei Opera.

A Russian student commented that this study tour made up for the limitations of textbook learning. Experiencing the delicate and melodious emotional expression of Huangmei Opera in person, he was deeply impressed by the unique appeal of this intangible cultural heritage opera. A Vietnamese student said Huangmei Opera has soft and catchy melodies. Having mastered classic excerpts, he will share stories of Chinese opera with family and friends back home and pass on the beauty of Chinese opera.

This Huangmei Opera study tour enriches international students’ summer cultural practice and effectively boosts overseas young people’s understanding and recognition of traditional Chinese culture.