On January 21, 2025, the “Happy Chinese New Year” Wu Opera special performance, co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh, and the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, was grandly held at the National Theatre of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Ambassador Yao Wen, along with his spouse Madam Li Yu, Mr. Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, Cultural Advisor to the Interim Government of Bangladesh, Mr. Syed Jamil Ahmed, Director of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, and Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, Standing Committee Member of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) attended the event and delivered speeches. Around 800 attendees, including key figures from the Bangladeshi government and various sectors, the Chinese community, representatives of China-funded enterprises, Confucius Institutes, international students, and media outlets from both China and Bangladesh, watched the performance live.
In his speech, Ambassador Yao highlighted the deep historical ties and geographical proximity between China and Bangladesh, which have fostered friendly exchanges for thousands of years. He noted that the Spring Festival is the most important traditional festival for the Chinese people and has been recognized by UNESCO as part of the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Wu Opera, as a treasure of China’s intangible cultural heritage, represents an important facet of Chinese traditional cultural art. He expressed hope that more Bangladeshi friends would experience the profound heritage and unique charm of Chinese culture, making cultural exchanges between China and Bangladesh to become even more vibrant. Ambassador Yao also called for closer collaboration across various sectors in both countries to strengthen the bonds of friendship, contribute to regional and global peace and prosperity, and better build a community with a shared future for mankind.
In his remarks, Hon’ble Advisor Mr. Farooki extended Chinese New Year greetings to the people of both nations and spoke highly of the event for injecting new vitality into Bangladesh’s cultural communities, effectively promoting cultural exchange and mutual understanding between China and Bangladesh.
During the event, artists from the Zhejiang Wu Opera Research Institute delivered stunning performances of Wu Opera classics such as “The Celestial Maiden Scattering Flowers” and “Monkey King Fights the White Bone Demon”. The actors showcased delicate emotional expression, vigorous and bold martial arts, and a harmonious balance of strength and grace, leaving the audience in awe and received warm applause.
This performance also marked the beginning of the Zhejiang Wu Opera Research Institute’s “Happy Chinese New Year” tour. The troupe will host special performances, community performances for overseas Chinese, and for the faculty and students from the drama department of Dhaka University and the University of Chittagong in both Dhaka and Chittagong.