|
Folk Art
-
Yangliuqing New Year Pictures
Yangliuqing New Year Pictures, one
of the three famous traditional New Year Pictures in China, is named
after its manufacturing place, Yangliuqing Town in the western
suburbs of Tianjin in early 17th century. Adopting block print and
colored hand drawing techniques, that is printing with woodblocks
before painting, Yangliuqing New Year Pictures are an combination of
the highest wood engraving attainments with unique characteristics
of Chinese brush painting. Yangliuqing New Year Pictures, using both
symbolism and realism, have a wide range of subjects including
realities, local customs and historical stories. It is a popular
folk art liked by the masses of people.
-
Zhang's Painted Clay Figurines
Located in Ancient Culture Street
in Nankai District is a craftsman's shop best known for its fine
specimens of clay figurines. As early as in the Qing Dynasty,
Tianjin had already established it self as a place well known for
its clay figurines. Particularly, Zhang's Painted Clay Figurines, a
school of figurine-making in its own right, has contributed greatly
to this reputation. The brilliant workmanship as shown in the clay
figurines has long been so widely recognised that Zhang's Painted
Clay Figurines has become a household name that stands for the Zhang
remarkable styleof figurine-making. Its founder, Zhang Mingshan,
learned the trade in early childhood from his father, and elevated
clay figurine making from a mere skill to a form of art. Thereafter,
the craft has been handed down through generations of Zhang's
family. Yet in every generation there has been a propensity added to
the development of Zhang's figurine making tradition. Today, Zhang
Naiying, the fifth-generation of the Zhang family, has carried out
the tradition, The Zhang's Clay Figurine Shop in the Ancient Culture
Street draws clients like a magnet.
-
Wei's Kites
Wei Yuantai, a kite-making master
who has been in the trade for 70 years, has contributed greatly to
the development of the handicraft. He has improved the
conventional designs and created foldable kites. Wei's kites
display lifelike imitation of the subjects, good choice of colours
and fine workmanship. Moreover, they are made of high quality
materials such as silk and satin for the sail, and fine, long and
flexible bamboo strips for the frame.
Opera & Drama
-
Peking Opera
The Peking Opera group
in Tianjin has been augmented, the opera lists have been added,
and the opera stage has taken on a prosperous outlook. "Burning
the Wanghai (overseeing the sea) Building" and "the No.6 Door"
produced by the Tianjin Peking Opera Troupe once made a sensation
throughout the country. Now, Tianjin has such opera communities as
Tianjin Peking Opera Troupe, the Third Tianjin Peking Opera Troupe
and Tianjin Youth Peking Opera Troupe as well as an Peking Opera
Art Exchange Assistant Center. Tianjin people are fond of Peking
Opera.
- Ping
Opera
Ping Opera
grew out of Lianhualao, which was popular in Eastern Hebei
Province and became popular in Tianjin in Guangxu Period, Qing
Dynasty. In 1915, a Lianhualao troupe led by Cheng Zhaocai and Yue
Mingzhu came to Tianjin and won success at their first performance
in Yanle Teahouse (now Hongqi Theater). This opera originated from
people and from its tune to content all cater to the taste of
Tianjin citizens, so it developed quickly here and Tianjin became
its sourceland. When Ping Opera became prosperous in Tianjin, the
Kun Storytelling Houses around Houjiahou, Nanshi and Hebei Avenue
all invited Ping actors and actresses to perform there. In this
way, Ping Opera became even more popular. From 1915 to 1930's, the
Ping troupes in Tianjin amounted to dozens and its climax came. A
group of out standing Ping actresses including Liu Cuixia, Bai
Yushuang, Ai Lianjun, Hua Yulan, etc. emerged. It plays an
important role in the development of Chinese Ping Opera.
After 1949, Tianjin Ping Opera Stage took on a new look and many
new plays welcomed by the masses emerged, such as "Liu Qiao'er",
"Liu Hulan", "Sister-in-law Xianglin", etc. In 1953, Tianjin Ping
Opera Troupe was established. In 1958, Tianjin Ping Opera
Institute was set up. At the same time, some traditional plays
appeared again on the stage after renovation. After 1979, some new
plays such as "Two Chaste Girls", "Regret in Dagu", and the
prize-winning "Willow in the South of the Village". There are now
Tianjin Ping Opera Institute (governing two troupes), Jixian
County Ping Opera Troupe, Baodi County Ping Opera Troupe, Jinghai
County Ping Opera Troupe, Ninghe County Ping Opera Troupe and
Hangu Ping Opera Troupe, altogether 7 troupes. Now, Ping Opera is
still very popular in Tianjin.
- Hebei
Bangzi
Developed
from shanshaan Bangzi, Hebei Bangzi performance appeared in
Tianjin in Daoguang Period, Qing Dynasty and was called "Qinqiang
Opera" then. It developed quickly in Tianjin and gradually forms
the "Wei Bangzi"(Tianjin wei) style, represented by He Jingyun (He
Dazi), Wei Liansheng (Yuan Yuanhong) and actresses Xiao Xiangshui,
Jin Gangzuan. At that time, on Tianjin opera stage, Hebei Bangzi
Became fashionable for a time. Even Peking Opera was inferior by
comparison. After the actresses gained fame in Tianjin, they had
influence on a generation. Large numbers of talented actors and
actresses came forth and became famous all over the country. Other
cities came here to invite actresses. Tianjin Hebei Bangzi
actresses have been to lots of places, such as Beijing, Shanghai,
Hebei, Northeast, Jiangsu, Shangdong, Xinjiang and even Kulun
(People's Republic of Mongolia now). From 1930's and 1940's, Hebei
Bangzi declined gradually.
After 1949, Hebei Bangzi was revived. Wang Qinglin (Yin Dazi), Han
Junqing, Liang Ruilan, Ge Wenjuan, Jin Baohuan and Wang Yuqing was
active on stage again. In 1950's and 1960's, Hebei Bangzi was
flourishing and developing. Not only Tianjin Hebei Bangzi Troupe
and Tianjin Xiao Bai Hua a Troupe were established, but lots of
outstanding plays were written or recovered, for example, "Qin
Xianglian", "Xun Guanniang", "Colorful Bridge". Tianjin Xiao Bai
Hua Troupe was fairly famous around the country then. Now there
are No.1 Hebei Bangzi Troupe, Bai Hua Troupe, Youth Bangzi Troupe
of Hexi District and Wuqing County Bangzi Troupe in Tianjin.
-
Modern Drama
Tianjin is
the cradle of North China modern drama, and the birthplace of Li
Shutong (Rabbi Hongyi), the one who laid the foundation of Chinese
modern drama. In 1908, the forerunners of Chinese modern drama,
Wang Zhongsheng and Liu Yizhou, led "Chunyang Troupe" from
Shanghai to perform in Tianjin. This was the earliest modern drama
performed here. The center of early Chinese modern drama activity
was Tianjin Nankai Middle School. Then Yan Fansun and Zhang Boling
both advocated modern drama and set up "Nankai New Troupe". Zhou
Enlai was a cadreman there. He has joined in the writing,
directing, playing of modern drama, and has published related
theoretical articles. Many talented people emerged due to the
active modern drama activity there. Cao Yu, Huang Zuolin, Xie Tian,
Shi Hui, etc. All have benefited from the nurturing of Tianjin
modern drama activity. In 1930's and 1940's, many troupes came to
perform and made Tianjin modern drama stage prosperous again.
After the victory of the war against Japanese, some troupes with
progressive tendencies often came to Tianjin to perform
progressive modern dramas, such as "Kong Que Dan" and "Hu Fu"
written by Guo Moruo, "Wen Tianxiang" Written by Wu Zuguang, "Sheng
Guan Tu" written by Chen Baichen, etc.
After 1949, some theatre troupes brought new theatrical
performance, they put on operas like "Our Own Army and the
Civilians", Which brought new tendencies to the stage. In the
1950's and 1960's, Tianjin modern drama became more flourishing.
In 1951, the people's Arts Theatre of Tianjin was set up, writers
and artists of this arts theatre wrote and performed a lot of
excellent plays, such as "Family", "Thunderstorm", "Chai Tou Feng",
"Flying Snowflakes Welcome the Spring", etc. And they also
cultivated a lot of good actors. After the 1980's, the People's
Arts Theatre of Tianjin again wrote and performed some influencing
plays, which was contributive to the flourishing modern drama
stage and movie and TV screen of Tianjin.
Quyi Ballard
-
Acrobatics
Soul-stirring acrobatic show is an art loved by friends from all
countries. Tianjin Acrobatics Troupe is one of the famous Chinese
troupes of the kind. The programs offered by the troupe are
original in conception. Their skills are superb, winning many
awards at domestic and foreign competitions.
- Xiang
Sheng
Xiang Sheng is a form of art performance with a long history, a
wide circulation and a solid masses base. Although the Xiang Sheng
artists regarded Dongfang Shuo in Han Dynasty as the founder of
the art of Xiang Sheng, but it was in Tong Guang Years of Qing
Dynasty when this art actually came into being and developed. In
early years, there were No-fearing Poor (Zhu Shaowen), Wan Renmi
and Li Dexi, etc. performing at the Sky Bridge in Beijing. And
they contributed much to the creation and development of the art
of Xiang Sheng. They have created many new stories in their
practical performances, which greatly enriched the contents of the
art of Xiang Sheng. Although the art of xiang Sheng originated in
Beijing, but, as a port city, Tianjin is very close to Beijing,
and it has become a must place for many players of the art of
Xiang Sheng. And there appears appears a trend that any of the new
stories should obtain the approval from audiences in the City of
Tianjin at first before it is going to be showed in Beijing.
Many of the Xiang Sheng performers have played in Tianjin for
several years, and after they achieved fame, they will be shown
before the audiences throughout the country, such as Hou Baolin,
Zhang Shouchen, Guo Rongqi. The oldest artist in the current
circle of the art of Xiang Sheng is Ma Sanli, who became famous
first in Tianjin, too. Apart from them, Chang Lian'an, Chang
Baokun, Chang Baoting, Bai Quanfu, Su Wenmao, Gao Yingpei and Fan
Zhenyu, etc. are all in the same case. Although Tianjin is not the
home of the art of Xiang Sheng, it is real rich soil, on which the
art of Xiang Sheng is growing and developing. The citizens of
Tianjin love the art pattern of Xiang Sheng, and the performances
of Xiang Sheng have brought much more pleasure and laughters to
them.
- Tianjin Kuaiban
The Tianjin
Kuaiban was a new tune that came into being in the 50s and it is
created and developed by the masses. Such Kuaiban is performed in
the dialect of Tianjin. And it uses Shu Laibao's counting and
singing, and Kuaiban Shu's tempo board in its patterns. And it is
also accompanied with Tune of "Shu zi" in Tianjin shi Tune. It is
played with a 3-chord Guitar and is very unique. The style of
Tianjin Kuaiban is very strong, straightforward, bright and
humorous, full of strong and deep flavor of real life and local
society. It is very much loved by the people in Tianjin, and by
the people in other provinces and cities, as well.
- Xicheng Ban
Xicheng Ban
is a native tune that grew up in Tianjin and its language is just
the dialect of local Tianjin. Both its speech and singing are rich
in local flavor. The voice of Xicheng Ban is generous, moving,
tragic and encouraging. And its method of singing and its tune are
very close to speech and its contents fairly clearly reflect the
life and feelings of the people at that time. So, it was very
popular with the people of Tianjin. In those years, there was to
vacancy while a Xicheng Ban was being performed in a teahouse. In
early years of Min Guo, Bao he Xuan Tea House and Hairui Tea House
in the north of Tianjin were special places for the show of
Xicheng Ban. And at present, there is almost no one who can sing
the tune. It almost disappears and this is a real pity.
-
Tianjin Shi Tune
The Shi
Tune of Tianjin, a unique tune to Tianjin, originated in late Ming
and early Qing Dynasty. There were already professional artists
singing in Tianjin Shi Tune in 1900. The singing voices of this
type of tune include folk tunes such as the Kaoshan Tune, the
Mandarin Duck Tune, Jiaopi Tune, etc. It is said that the Kaoshan.
Tune is a minor tune sung by shoe makers at rest sitting back to a
wall; the Mandarin Duck Tune is sung by males and females in love;
and the Jiaopi Tune (the man-power tricycle drivers were called
Jiaopi in Tianjin) is sung by Jiaopi while they were waiting for
customers. Such minor tunes came into being from among the people.
They are full of local flavors with bright tones and popular words
and simple and kind feelings. They are very suitable for folks in
Tianjin, so they could be regularly heard throughout streets and
lanes after work and dining time. After professional singers came
into being, such folk minor tunes are processed, modified and
innovated and are made into a very popular type of tune named as
Tianjin Shi Tune, which could reflect the spirit of the time and
the life of the people. The famous singers of the Tianjin Shi Tune
includes Zhao Baocui, Zhou cuizhi, Tan Junying, etc. And the
outstanding ones are Qin Cuihong (with a nickname as Bang Zi Mian),
Gao Wugu, Zhao Xiaofu, etc. Since the 50s, there was Wang Yubao
rising up, singing new songs reflecting the new times, whose voice
is high and bright, and there was no one who can be of her equal.
And later, there appeared some more outstanding successors and
they made the tune go on to be in existence until now.
- Xihe
Da Gu
It was
fairly early when the Xihe Da Gu introduced into Tianjin, with the
school of Hao Min occupying the prevailing advantages, so that
there was even a view point that Tianjin Xihe Da Gu was a
hereditary treasure of the Hao's families. Because most of the
singings of Tianjin Xihe Da Gu were "Man Zi Stories", such as
"Yang Family Soldiers" and "Shi Sir Case", etc., it attracts a lot
of audiences. In the 20s and 30s, there were fixed audiences on
Dongxing Market, Hebei bird Market, Didao Wai and New Road to
enjoying Xihe Da Gu. The song of "Tongue Twisting" sung by the
actress Ma Zengfen in 1936 was very popular throughout Tianjin,
and was followed by all the citizens, even by women and children.
It is very similar to the current popular songs that are followed
by all people. It can be imagined that there should have been a
wide star-pursuing group for the Xihe Da Gu at that moment.
-
Jingdong Da Gu
Jingdong Da
Gu is originated from Xianghe in the east of Beijing and Bao Di
area, its performance is very simple, most of the arias are "Man
Zi Huo". Jingdong Da Gu became flourishing after Liu Wenbin
performed it in Tianjin. Liu Wenbin's voice was loud and clear,
his pronunciation was distinct, his performance is simple and fine
and very charming. And the son of Liu Wenbin inherits his art
cause. And Hao Debao, actress Wang Yunqiu and the amateur actress
Dong xiangkun have all acquired the inner contents of Liu and
their singings are very lively and charming, and very popular
among audiences.
- Mei
Hua Da Gu
Mei Hua Da
Gu was originated in Beijing, it was also called Qing Kou Da Gu.
In the past, Mei Hua Da Gu was a melody often performed by the
Manchurian of Beijing. Famous actors include zhong Wanqi, Jin
Xiaoshan, etc. and afterwards, Cao Baolu, Wang Ziyu, etc. Later,
Jin Wanchang made some innovations, which gave new vitality to
this sort of Quyi. After innovated by Jin Wanchang, Mei Hua Da Gu
was very vivid and absorbing and was loved by the audience deeply,
and it gradually become the orthodox school. The actors of Tianjin
Mei Hua Da Gu included Qiu Yushan, Zhou Zichen and string musician
Lu Chengke. All of them recruited many female apprentices. The
actresses that became famous later included Hua Sibao, Hua Wubao,
Hua Xiaobao (Shi Wenxiu), Hua lianbao, Hua Yunbao, Hua Yinbao,
Zhou Wenru, etc. Mei Hua Da Gu has another form of performance,
that is Han Deng Da Gu which was resumed recently. When performing
Han Deng Da Gu, the actor hold a dragonheadshaped lampstand in the
mouth. He cannot open mouth while singing, and the tune is
pronounced by the throat and tongue, so the aria should not
belong, and it lays much importance on other performance like the
drug beating, etc.
-
Jing Yun Da Gu
Jing Yun Da Gu is a
major type of Tianjin Quyi. Jing Yun Da Gu is also called Xiao Kou
Da Gu, it was originated from Qie Da Gu, which was innovated by
Zhong Wanqi, Yu Dekui, etc. They changed the libretto into dialect
of Beijing and renewed the tune, turned it into jingyin Da Gu.
After a series of reforms, it was finally named Jing Yun Da Gu.
Since the 1920's and 1930's, actors and actresses have been
emerging in large numbers, which further determined the position
of Jing Yun Da Gu in Chinese folk art forms and formed three major
schools represented by Liu Quanbao, Bai Yunpeng and Zhang Xiaoxuan
respectively. Liu Quanbao was once the apprentice of Wang Qinghong,
an famous old act or of Tianjin. Plus his talent and diligence, he
became a great master of Jing Yun Da Gu for his generation, and he
was also called "King of Da Gu". His fame has been famous in folk
art field for 50 years. Bai Yunpeng usually perform stories of
juniors, he was wellknown for his gentle, witty and feeble voice,
which formed his unique style. Zhang Xiaoxuan's style is straight
for ward and calm, full of strength, like the water of Yangze
River Which rushes out for one thousand miles. In the end of his
aria, he stops suddenly, and the audience feel that his voice is
still lingering and will never fade away.
This was his unique style. Afterwards, Xiao Caiwu (Luo Yusheng)
emerges. Considering her own characteristics and combining the
strong points of Liu and Bai, she created her own artistic style.
Especially her distinct pronunciation and clear tune in low voice
was something that common actresses cannot perform. And because of
this, she became the Queen of Da Gu and has been the ace actress
in the Quyi field of Tianjin for more than 30 or 40 years. Luo
Yusheng is currently the chairwoman of China Quyi Artist
Association. She still performs on the stage occasionally. In
addition, there were amateur performers in Tianjin in those days,
among them, the most famous are Li shiru and Feng Zhibin.
Festival
Celebrations
-
Folklore Tour Week Marking the Birthday of
Heavenly Empress
Every year, around the 23rd of
the third lunar month, the folklore tour week is held at the
Heavenly Empress Palace (Tianhou Palace) in the Ancient Culture
Street to mark the birthday of Heavenly Empress (or called Mazu).
On the occasion, solemn sacrificial rites are held in addition to
the performances of dragon lanterns, liondancing, stilts and dry
boats, attracting numerous tourists and pilgrims.
-
Chinese Rose Festival in Tianjin
Chinese rose is rated as the city
flower. Every mid-May, Chinese rose is in full bloom. By the time,
all roads and parks in Tianjin are dressed up with millions of
Chinese roses. Tourists in Tianjin also can enjoy various flower
exhibitions, operas and performances, and join recreations in
parks.
-
Tianjin Yuyang Golden Autumn Mountain Tour
Festival
Located in the mountainous area
in the northern of Tianjin, Jixian County, known as Yuyang in
ancient times, has green mountains and clear rivers, with many
historical sites. From the late September to early October, when
the late autumn tourist season comes, the Yuyang Golden Autumn
Mountain Tour Festival will be held here for one week. By the
time, domestic and foreign tourists can join grand open-air gala
celebrations held on the Huangyaguan Pass of the Great Wall, or
participate in the competition of mounting the Great Wall. In the
scenic Panshan Mountain, there are mountain-or rock-climbing
competitions, and high-altitude stunt and folk theatrics
performances. Tourists can also join the tourist program of
"becoming a mountain folk one day" by picking mountain fruits and
visiting mountainous villagers.
-
Tianjin Beitang Sea Fair
Beitang is a famous fishing dock
and an outlet to the sea. It has rich marine products, full of
strong fishing color. Beitang seafood enjoys a high reputation in
the Beijing-Tianjin area. In early October when the autumn tides
rise in the Bohai Sea, it is a good season to catch fatty fish and
pawns. The Sea Fair will be held in Beitang annually. Local
fishermen celebrate the fishing harvest in their traditional ways,
such as torch running, lighting lanterns on the water, setting-off
basket lanterns, stilts, dragon dancing. There is also a Beitang
Finishing Fire Night sponsored by concerned cultural departments.
Tourists can join the program of "being a fisher folk for one
day". They can go fishing to the sea with a fishing boat, becoming
a guest in a fisherman's family. They will be treated with
different kinds of seafood.
-
Flower Fair
Tianjin Folk Flower Fair has a
long history, offering varieties of performance such as dragon
lantern fair, lion-dancing fair, Shaolin martial fair, stilts, dry
boats. Whenever traditional festivals come (for example, Lantern
Festival which falls on the night of the 15th of the 1st lunar
month, and the Birthday of Heavenly Empress which falls on March
23), various folk performances are held at Heavenly Empress Palace
Square in the Ancient Culture Street and various district and
county cultural and recreation squares.
|
Information
provided by China National
Tourism Administration.
