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Actresses from Yangzhou give quyi performances at the training center in Jiangsu Vocational College of Agriculture and Forestry on Nov 7. [Photo/yznews.cn]
A training center on Yangzhou pinghua was set up in Jiangsu Vocational College of Agriculture and Forestry (JSAFC) in Jurong, a county-level city of Zhenjiang on Nov 7.
Yangzhou pinghua, originated from the end of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), is a traditional art form of a narrator telling stories in Yangzhou dialect.
Being the first one set up in higher education institutions, the training center aimed to cultivate students' interests in pinghua by offering performances given by performers from Yangzhou.
Ten students are expected to become the first batch of the center's trainees.
Fu Haolan, a teacher instructing students' art groups from JSAFC, said pinghua is of great influence in Zhenjiang and students have shown great enthusiasm with over 50 students signing up to join the center.
Jiang Qingling, director of Yangzhou Quyi Institution said that training centers used to be set up in primary schools, yet this center in college can helps find more talents and cultivate future audience.
"It's a good opportunity to promote Yangzhou quyi (a kind of Chinese folk art), especially pinghua. We have the liability and responsibility to cooperate with colleges to let more young people feel the beauty of folk art," Jiang added.
