On October 14, during a vibrant performance of Cantonese opera at the Tianqiao Theater in Beijing, a special event titled “Widely Known · Starting from Zhu’erfu” was held by the Guangzhou Municipal Government Office in Beijing. This initiative, aimed at bringing exquisite Cantonese opera to the forefront and telling stories from the Greater Bay Area, attracted over a hundred university students who were invited to experience the beauty of traditional culture up close.

The featured performance, “Sanhui Woman: Red Headscarf,” is a groundbreaking work that sheds light on the labor history of Chinese women. It beautifully portrays the stories of women from Sanhui, Foshan, Guangdong, who ventured overseas during the 1930s, marked by their signature red headscarves as they became a unique sight on construction sites in Southeast Asia. These women journeyed to seek their fortunes, contributing to the skyline of Singapore while also building bridges of friendship between nations.

One of the attendees, Wu Ruifan, a student from Tsinghua University hailing from Singapore, shared his thoughts on experiencing “Sanhui Woman: Red Headscarf.” “My ancestors, just like those in the play, sailed to Southeast Asia and settled in Singapore. Revisiting this part of history has deepened my understanding of them and makes me appreciate my current life even more,” he reflected.

Another student, Zeng Huiling, also studying at Tsinghua University, expressed her admiration for Cantonese opera as a form of intangible cultural heritage that encapsulates the unique charm of Lingnan culture. “Through this performance, I not only experienced the beauty of Cantonese opera in terms of music, costumes, and performance but also felt its underlying sentiment of patriotism and cultural heritage. Cantonese opera is not merely a performing art; it represents the transmission of history and emotions.”

Directed by renowned director Zhang Manjun, a recipient of the Chinese Drama Plum Blossom Award, and written by top-tier director Mo Fei, “Sanhui Woman: Red Headscarf” is a key production of the Guangdong Cantonese Opera Theater, guided by the Guangdong Provincial Publicity Department and the Department of Culture and Tourism.

Additionally, on October 12, the theater also showcased “Legend of the White Snake,” which presented a romantic interpretation of this classic tale. Chen Haiqi, a student from Peking University who attended the performance, remarked, “’Legend of the White Snake’ not only preserves Lingnan culture but also introduces a new form of expression. The play beautifully conveys the millennium-long love story of Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian, while modern stage design and costumes breathe new life into this classic.”

Chen added, “Cantonese opera, through its innovations, has transcended the Lingnan region, embodying the cultural heritage of Guangzhou and showcasing the spirit of Lingnan to a wider audience. As a student from Guangzhou, witnessing Cantonese opera celebrated on the grand stage in Beijing fills me with immense pride.”

Since its debut in 2014, “Legend of the White Snake” has completed over 200 performances in a span of ten years, with Mo Fei serving as both the playwright and director. It features a stellar cast, including renowned performers such as Zeng Xiaomin, Wen Ruqing, Wang Yanfeng, and Zhu Hongxing.