Chinese opera fan performs in London to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival. (by Gu Zhenqiu)
LONDON, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese opera fans in Britain gathered on Saturday to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival while enjoying traditional moon cakes and opera performances.
Qiu Zenghui, a veteran Jinghu player and director of the UK Chinese Opera Association, said it was a precious moment for Chinese opera fans across Britain to gather as the Mid-Autumn Festival falls on Monday.
"Chinese opera always remind me of who I am and where I came from. Mid-Autumn Festival is just a perfect time to miss home," she said.
Shan Sheng, a 90-year-old British Chinese who is the honorary director of the association, donated his Peking opera costumes which he has carefully kept for over 60 years, to the association.
"The value of the old costumes may be limited, but the Chinese traditional culture, which should be carried forward by younger generations, is priceless," he said.
Fans across Britain came to London to attend the event, taking turns to perform famous Peking opera episodes including The Red Maid. The youngest fan was only aged 6.
"It is our responsibility to carry forward the Chinese traditional culture even when we are far away from home," Qiu said.