“The Great Enthronement,” a Hubei Yuediao Opera, is being performed with brilliance.

Students are learning the intangible cultural heritage of drum play.

The “Young Writers” Literature Public Welfare Lecture Hall for the summer of 2025 officially commenced.

Text and photo by Zhang Yating, the All-media Journalist, and Cui Shengtian, Zhou Yuting, and Zhao Yue, the Correspondents

In the midsummer of Xiangyang, Hubei Province, a cultural fervor emerges that surpasses even the blazing sun: traditional opera enchants with its melodious grace, youthful street dance captivates with its dynamic energy, public welfare calligraphy resonates deeply within hearts, and “affectionate companionship” is performed with heartfelt warmth... This series of cultural celebrations, set against a backdrop of public welfare, crafts a warm narrative that nourishes both the present and future.

Exhibition and Performance of Intangible Cultural Heritage: Enjoying Classic Theatrical Performances Free

On the evening of July 11, the Xiangyang Theater was aglow with bright lights, adorned with silk and bamboo intricately woven around the beams. The “Cultural Xiangyang: Exceptional Performances for All” drama festival commenced as scheduled. Over the past 13 years, hundreds of classic plays, newly created historical dramas, modern theatrical works, and more have been presented with great enthusiasm, offering free performances right at people’s doorsteps.

On stage, “The Great Enthronement,” presented by the Hubei Yuediao Opera Inheritance Center in Gucheng County, was being performed with brilliance. The poignant tale of Xue Pinggui and Wang Baochuan’s separation and reunion was vividly brought to life through the actors’ resonant yet gentle singing, captivating the audience and eliciting cheers. In the audience, parents sat alongside their children, while elderly individuals with silver hair shared whispers about theatrical stories and historical allusions. Young children enthusiastically mimicked the movements of the performers on stage, as the allure of traditional culture was quietly passed down through generations.

As a national intangible cultural heritage, the inheritance and development of Hubei Yuediao Opera have always been highly esteemed. In 2020, the center selected 20 young students to pursue further studies at Hubei College of the Arts. Now, they have taken to the stage, infusing this ancient theatrical genre with vitality and energy. “It is truly wonderful to experience authentic hometown opera and appreciate the charm of traditional culture alongside my child during the summer!” After the performance concluded, a young mother who attended with her daughter expressed her heartfelt admiration.

The vitality of intangible cultural heritage is not only evident in the parent-child interactions within urban theaters but also flourishes in the vibrant atmosphere of public square performances. Every Sunday evening, the Cultural Center Square in Gucheng County comes alive with activity as it hosts the “Charms of Shennong: Culture Nourishing Gucheng” series of concerts designed for community enjoyment. The energetic opening dance ignites the passion of summer nights, followed by a succession of songs, sitcoms, operas, and various other programs. In this lively setting, parents lift their children onto their shoulders while three generations, grandparents and grandchildren alike, share joyful moments. The air is filled with applause, laughter, and cheers that resonate throughout the square.

Public Welfare Training: Setting up the “Cultural Gas Station”

This summer, the Xiangyang Mass Art Museum has transformed into a popular “summer cultural gas station.” On July 1, the 2025 National Art Popularization and Summer Public Welfare Training Program of the Xiangyang Mass Art Museum officially commenced, offering four courses: intangible cultural heritage of drum play, children’s street dance, oral expression, and hard-tip calligraphy. Within just one hour, all 100 available spots were “instantly filled” by eager parents. On the day of classes, children were seen throughout the museum, deeply engaged in their learning activities, while parents waited outside the entrance with anticipation.

Amidst the resounding drumbeat, elementary school students immerse themselves in the essence of intangible cultural heritage. In the street dance classroom, children stretch and leap, enhancing their physical fitness through dedicated effort. During oral expression classes, shy children’s voices gradually grow louder and more fluent, radiating confidence as they engage in fast-paced recitation. The calligraphy classroom serves as a tranquil space where children not only learn to write with precision but also cultivate a focused and calm mindset. This cultural journey throughout July vividly embodies the Xiangyang Mass Art Museum’s mission to “popularize art for all.”

At the same time, a literary charity event was grandly inaugurated amidst the summer surge of books. On July 15, the “Young Writers” Literature Public Welfare Lecture Hall for the summer of 2025 officially commenced. Under the theme “Opening the Door to Masterpieces: Discovering the Golden Key to Reading,” Teacher Wang Jinrong analyzed works such as “From Hundred-Grass Garden to Three-Taste School” and presented children with their own “golden keys” to unlock the joys of reading.

“The ‘Young Writers’ Literature Public Welfare Lecture Hall, organized by Xiangyang Literature College, is a public cultural initiative designed for primary and secondary school students in Xiangyang. Over the past eight years, we have visited numerous campuses, communities, and rural areas, conducted more than 100 events, and positively impacted over 10,000 individuals.” According to Cai Yongmei, the head of the college, this public welfare activity primarily takes place during summer vacation to enrich the summer experiences of primary and secondary school students while enhancing their literary knowledge. Liu Meiyang, who has participated in these public welfare lectures for four consecutive years, said: “These lectures not only enrich our summer lives but also enhance our writing skills and broaden our reading horizons.”

Affectionate Companionship: Providing Care for Special Populations

The warmth of summer culture not only benefits ordinary families but also extends its reach to groups in need of special care. On July 12, a summer public welfare lecture titled “Affectionate Companionship: May Flower Reading Club” was held in Laohekou City, radiating warmth and compassion. Over 160 individuals participated on the day, including psychological counseling volunteers from ten towns and villages, as well as orphaned and impoverished children whom they have been supporting for an extended period. This activity employed poetry as a bridge with the aim of creating a poetic spiritual home for these children.

“They entered the realm of lonely and impoverished children, illuminating the pervasive darkness with their companionship…” The volunteer fervently recited the “Ode to Volunteers,” resonating deeply with every word. To dispel the shadows in the children’s hearts and nurture their self-confidence, recitation artist Wang Shaomei skillfully guided and encouraged them to take the stage bravely. When a naive yet determined childlike voice recited Zhu Ziqing’s “Transient Days,” and when members of the “Chasing Light Reading Camp” united in reciting classic passages from “The Great Learning,” seeds of confidence began to sprout from within.

At the event, the poem “Relay of Light,” presented by poet Bing Bihui from Laohekou to the volunteers, was profoundly interpreted: “Bringing the gentle spring breeze to silent flower buds with warmth, constructing a bridge of communication between hearts through universal love... Allowing those curled-up dreams to finally unfurl into the shape of spreading wings...” The volunteers remained steadfast in their commitment to public welfare, deeply inspiring everyone present.

Culture is akin to water, nourishing the hearts of individuals. During this summer, Xiangyang hosts a series of cultural activities centered on public welfare and designed to benefit diverse groups. These events not only provide a visual and auditory feast but also serve as a dynamic practice in cultivating urban character, strengthening spiritual resilience, and illuminating pathways to future hope.