The Research Of Puzhou Opera Of Shanxi Province Under The Protection Of ICH

Puzhou opera was so named because it was originated from PuZhou which located in the south ofShanxi province. It was also called PuZhou Bangzi, Luantan (a general term for Chiense opera melodies) orTuxi and constituted one of the four oldest Bangzi operas of Shanxi Province. Coming into being in theJiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, Puzhou opera belonged to one of Bangqiang-style operas and hadhundreds of years of history. Now it is mainly popular in the border region of Shanxi province, Shannxiprovince and Henan province and had exerted great influence on the formation of Bangqiang-style operasacross the northern China in history.Puzhou opera was a kind of “dynamic” cultural heritage and was also a carrier of local culture. Itpossessed a strong rural flavor which therefore formed a strong emotional bond among local people. It wasclosely integrated with the living environment of local people and was inherited generation by generation.Puzhou opera’s characteristics completely conformed to the standards of nonmaterial cultural heritagedefined by our country even by the international society. As one of the most important nonmaterial culturalheritages, Puzhou opera retained precious and valuable cultural resources and therefore were veryimportant for the studies of local culture and folk customs.Our country has attached importance to nonmaterial cultural heritage and has taken measures toprotect nonmaterial cultural heritage. However, in the present social environment, both the rapid pace oflife and the frequent cultural communication among all parts of the world contribute to the fade of the localculture which Puzhou opera is based on. The questions and predicament the Puzhou opera facing certainlyhave aroused our close attention. When facing the decline and fall of nonmaterial cultural heritage, we have to take measures to protect them so as to inherit and develop our excellent culture, which is also ourobligatory duty.We should deepen the studies of Puzhou opera’s historical status and cultural connotation because ofits unique artistic value and development course. We can begin our study from the origin and evolution ofPuzhou opera, the classifications of Puzhou opera and the artistic characteristics of Puzhou opera. At thesame time, we can explore the local characteristics of Puzhou opera from the aspects of local dialects, thefolk songs, the folk customs and the local ethics. In this way, we can further understand the local culturalconnotation contained in Puzhou opera and can better take measures to protect Puzhou opera. Besides theprotection of the traditional art of Puzhou opera, the Puzhou opera should also absorb the excellent parts ofother artistic forms to better adapt to the modern environment. Meanwhile, the protective measures takenby Puzhou opera can also be applied to the protection of other local operas and serve as the reference forthe protection of other local operas.