Recently, “Building Bridge with Opera, Illuminating Paths with Culture—2026 Youth Ambassador Sharing Session for Global Promotion of Asian Traditional Theatre” was held in the South Campus of Guangdong Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT). Co-hosted by Shantou Foreign Affairs Bureau (Shantou People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries), GTIIT, Shantou Cultural Development Center, Guangdong Chao Opera Institute, the event drew many GTIIT students to experience the unique charm of Chao Opera.

GTIIT Pro-Vice Chancellor Gao Jian opened the event with a warm welcome and sincere thanks. He noted that Chao Opera, passed down for centuries in the Chaoshan Region, serves as a cultural bond linking 30 million Chaoshan people worldwide. As an international STEM university rooted in China, GTIIT aims not only to cultivate engineers and scientists equipped with cutting-edge technologies, but also to nurture new-generation talents with global vision, cultural confidence and humanistic care. “This event is both a high-level art showcase and a tailor-made cross-cultural course for students. We encourage everyone to go on stage and experience this centuries-old art treasure in person.”

Li Hongzhao, Director of Shantou Foreign Affairs Bureau and President of Shantou People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, quoted Chinese President Xi Jinping’s call to tell China’s stories well and present a trustworthy, lovely and respectable image of China. “Shantou Chao Opera’s appearance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, known as the ‘Olympics of the art world’, is a vivid practice of telling China’s stories well.” He hoped that the students present could, through this event, act as envoys bridging Chinese and foreign civilizations, and introduce a full, multi-dimensional China to the world.

Two young performers from Guangdong Chao Opera Theatre, Wu Jialin and Dai Shudiao, shared their rewarding experience at the 79th Edinburgh Festival Fringe. “We sang without microphones under British night skies – an equal and heartfelt cultural exchange,” Jialin said, adding that young people are revitalizing intangible heritage with creative ideas, just as GTIIT students explore innovations in science and technology.

They also presented a crossover Chao Opera excerpt, The Interrupted Dream from The Peony Pavilion. During the interactive session, GTIIT students tried on opera costumes, held folding fans and practiced basic movements. The centuries-old heritage became tangible and approachable for young audiences.

“The beautiful singing of Chao Opera impressed me deeply,” said Xiao Xinyu, a 2024 Materials Science and Engineering student. Chen Mingyan, a 2024 Mechanical Engineering and Robotics student, shared her excitement: “I’m delighted to see Chao Opera go global. More young people should learn and carry forward this traditional art.”

When ancient opera intersects with a global STEM vision, and intangible heritage resonates with young minds, humanities and science-technology thrive across campus and within our students.

Text: GTIIT News & Public Affairs

Photos: Leng Yixuan, Yin Qixiang, GTIIT News & Public Affairs