STORY: The renaissance of centuries-old Tibetan opera
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 26/March 2, 2024/earlier footage
DATELINE: March 17, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:37
LOCATION: LHASA, China
CATEGORY: CULTURE/SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Tibetan opera teachers and learners at the people's art hall of the Xizang
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Tibetan): TENZIN DONDEN, Tibetan opera learner
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Tibetan): CHIMED DROLKAR, Tibetan opera learner
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Tibetan): PHURJUNG, Tibetan opera teacher
5. various of Tibetan opera performances
6. various of Tashi Chodan, a community in Shannan City known for Tibetan opera
7. SOUNDBITE 4 (Tibetan): NYIMA TSERING, Inheritor of Tibetan opera

STORYLINE:

While many children choose hobbies like playing the piano, swimming or computer programming, 13-year-old Tenzin Donden stands out with his rare passion for Tibetan opera, an art form with a history of more than 600 years.
   
Every weekend, Tenzin Donden dedicates two-and-a-half hours to honing his Tibetan opera performance skills at the people's art hall of the Xizang Autonomous Region in Lhasa, the regional capital.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Tibetan): TENZIN DONDEN, Tibetan opera learner
"I have been studying Tibetan opera at the people's art hall of Xizang since I was 6. I want to learn Tibetan opera well and become an outstanding Tibetan opera performer."

Considered a living fossil of Tibetan culture, Tibetan opera blends talking, singing, acting, dancing and literature. It was included on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.

In 2015, the people's art hall of Xizang launched free Tibetan opera courses, nurturing approximately 200 students ranging in age from 4 to 16.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Tibetan): CHIMED DROLKAR, Tibetan opera learner
"I am 11 years old. I have begun to learn Tibetan opera since I was four years old. I am proud and delighted to study Tibetan opera, a traditional Tibetan culture. I will continue my study and learn it well."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Tibetan): PHURJUNG, Tibetan opera teacher
"I have been engaged in Tibetan opera for more than 40 years. Now many young people love Tibetan opera, which makes me feel very gratified."

Xizang has made great efforts to protect its culture. In 2005, an intangible cultural heritage protection project was initiated in Xizang. One year later, Tibetan opera was included on the first list of national-level intangible cultural heritage, three years before its recognition by UNESCO. There are now over 150 part-time Tibetan opera troupes.
   
In Tashi Chodan, a community in Shannan City known for Tibetan opera, the art form has spurred economic growth. In 2023, the community welcomed 16,000 visitors, generating over 1.85 million yuan (about 257,000 U.S. dollars) in tourism revenues.

SOUNDBITE 4 (Tibetan): NYIMA TSERING, Inheritor of Tibetan opera
"Currently, our Tibetan opera troupe has more than 30 performers, 16 of whom are youngsters. In the future, we will do our utmost to integrate the performance of traditional Tibetan opera with tourism development."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Lhasa, China.
(XHTV)