Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract/Objectives

The videotapes "Chinese Local Opera and Rituals" collected by the School of Humanities and Social Sciences of Tsinghua University is part of the research results of the "Research on Chinese Local Opera and Rituals" project of Wang Qiugui, Honorary Chair Professor of the Institute of Anthropology, in the 1990s. In the past 30 years, only a few of them have been broadcast on specific occasions, but they have not yet been paid attention to and used by the academic community. After gradual digitization, it will become an important reference for ceremonial opera and local society, and promote cultural sustainability through teaching and research.

Results/Contributions

1. Recreate the historical style of ritual opera: Following last year's successful conversion of 187 videotapes and 137 types of optical discs, we have successfully converted an additional 86 videotapes and 139 discs this year, reproducing the historical style of ritual opera recorded 30 years ago. The reason why these videos are precious is that many ceremonial operas are no longer held now, or the scale has been reduced, some can still be referred to in written literature, and some must rely on these rare videos to know a little about the progress and content of ritual operas, and the fieldwork of that year is primitive ecology and precious.

2. In the future, these materials will be open for public access: Through discussions with the University History and Special Collections Section of the Tsing Hua University Library, we have agreed to establish metadata for the collection. This will enable users to search the Library’s public catalog and request access on-site, transforming these once-hidden field research findings into accessible resources for public viewing and academic research.

3. In-depth education and cultural sustainability: "In the second semester of the 2025 academic year, the course 'Special Topics in Ritual Opera' will be offered. Through structured curriculum design and instruction, the course aims to introduce ritual opera by showcasing selected video recordings and assigning analytical projects. This initiative allows the younger generation of students to engage with these recordings and potentially sparks interest in further research. This process also fosters a reciprocal learning environment where instructors can identify new research topics, ultimately promoting cultural sustainability.

Although the contemporary society is unfamiliar with rituals, through case discussions, speeches, practical experiences, etc., we will deepen the education scene to promote students' understanding of rituals, and plant the seeds of respecting and participating in rituals in the life experience of the younger generation, so as to jointly maintain cultural sustainability.

Keywords

Ceremonial opera, sacrificial drama, local society, cultural sustainability

References

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Contact Information

林佳儀
chiayi@gapp.nthu.edu.tw