One of China's traditional and well-loved operas - the Peking Opera - is now being reintroduced to primary and middle school students throughout the country an effort to promote and educate the younger generation about the traditional art.
The Peking Opera has gained its popularity in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) under Emperor Qianlong and for many decades, it has drawn audiences from the US and Japan. However, its popularity decreased throughout the years due to the onset of popular culture and people can only hear Peking Opera productions through the radio.
In 2008, Beijing slowly worked on a program that would promote opera by providing training to several primary schools in the capital. Any school that would apply for the program would receive funds from the education department in order for them to hire professionals that would teach students ages 6 and above. Textbooks regarding the Peking Opera was also put on trial in Fengai district's middle schools to see if they can include it to the curriculum. These books on the Peking Opera were compiled and published by the Beijing Association of Promoting Quintessence of Chinese Culture and the People's Education Press last year.
