Kunqu Opera tunes into modern times

NANJING — In Kunshan, East China's Jiangsu province, the melodies of Kunqu Opera, an ancient art form, are not confined to the stages of grand theaters but ring out in unexpected scenes — school bells, fitness routines and bus stop illustrations where lively cartoon figures greet passersby every day.

Kunshan is the birthplace of Kunqu, which blends poetry, music, intricate costumes and graceful performances. The 600-year-old traditional Chinese performance art was listed as one of the masterpieces of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity by UNESCO in 2001.

But Kunqu is far from a relic. In the bustling streets of Kunshan, this ancient art form continues to find new life, delicately balancing between preserving its timeless beauty and embracing the demands of modernity.