Humanities in Asia: Going Beyond Make-Do-the Reshaping of a Chinese Operatic Tradition in Taiwan

About this Event

Kunqu, a 600 year old form of Chinese opera known for its poetic lyrics and refined singing, was among the first Chinese art forms UNESCO recognized as a "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" in 2001. The story of how Kunqu survived the political upheavals of the twentieth century runs not only through state sponsored troupes in China but also through communities of devoted amateur singers, known as quyou 曲友 , who carried the tradition to Taiwan. This talk follows these enthusiasts from their roots in Mainland China to their postwar lives in Taiwan, where they kept Kunqu alive through informal singing gatherings long before it was celebrated as world heritage. When cultural exchanges across the Taiwan Strait reopened, amateurs and professionals…

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