(Handout via Xinhua Daily)

The Chinese Opera Gala 2024, co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Jiangsu Provincial People's Government, is set to take place from September 5 to 23 in Kunshan.

The festival will showcase 45 opera troupes and 87 plays, bringing together renowned artists and a mix of classic and newly created pieces for opera-lovers.

Seven distinguished artists with an average age of 65 will perform zhezixi - opera highlights staged as independent short pieces - during the opening ceremony. The event will also feature themed exhibition, China-chic carnival, and panel discussions. To broaden its reach, the performances will be held in both professional theatres and small community stages.

Since 2018, Kunshan has successfully hosted five editions of the Chinese Opera Gala with 269 performances, including puppetry and shadow plays, drawing as many as 300 million online views.