At the 2024 Shanghai Counter-Strike Major that concluded on December 15, the worlds of ancient tradition and modern gaming collided in a spectacular showcase. Chinese artists introduced “Hualian” (Painted Face), a music kit blending the powerful sounds of Qinqiang Opera with modern rock, to the global esports stage. This unique fusion offered an unforgettable audio-visual experience to gamers and music enthusiasts worldwide.
Qinqiang Opera, hailing from Shaanxi Province during the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046–771 BC), is one of China’s oldest traditional art forms. Known for its bold, high-pitched singing and dramatic expressions, it captures the spirit of northwest China’s folk traditions. Performers bring characters to life using the “Four Skills” (singing, acting, recitation, and martial arts) and “Five Methods” (hand, eye, body, footwork, and facial expressions), showcasing vivid storytelling.
In an effort to preserve and promote this cultural treasure, Baoji City in Shaanxi established a magnificent Qinqiang Opera Museum in February 2024. The museum employs cutting-edge technologies like 3D displays to document the vocal techniques of seasoned artists and to exhibit precious artifacts. Visitors are treated to interactive and immersive experiences that highlight the opera’s music, costumes, character roles, and intricate facial makeup designs.
The fusion of Qinqiang Opera with the competitive world of Counter-Strike not only bridges the gap between tradition and modernity but also introduces this ancient art form to a new generation. People of all ages can now engage with Qinqiang Opera, whether through interactive museum exhibits or through the resonating beats of a battle song in a popular esports game.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
