Lecture: How Kunqu Lives in Contemporary China
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Visit this lecture at Leiden University on September 10. In this lecture, Dr Ming Yang explores how Kunqu continues to thrive as a living cultural heritage and how knowledge and skills are passed on through performers, training programmes, institutions, the media and an evolving audience.
Kunqu is one of the oldest surviving forms of xiqu (traditional Chinese theatre) and is often praised for its long history, artistic refinement and status as intangible cultural heritage. Yet these labels alone cannot explain how a performing tradition continues to survive, evolve and resonate with new generations.
In this hybrid lecture, IIAS fellow Dr Ming Yang from Beijing Foreign Studies University explores Kunqu as a living performing heritage. He examines how knowledge is passed on and transformed through performers and their training, cultural institutions, the media and a changing audience.
Come along or join us online via Teams and discover how Kunqu continues to explore the relationship between tradition, performance and contemporary life.
When
- Thursday the 10th of september 2026 from 13:00 to 14:30