On October 6, the Tianyi Pavilion Museum in Ningbo, Zhejiang, hosted an engaging concert celebrating intangible cultural heritage at the recently restored ancient theater of the Qin Clan Ancestral Hall. The event featured enchanting excerpts from classic operas such as “Chasing Fish – The Library,” “Panfu Searching for the Upper Plate,” “Yang Kaihui – Remembering Qingshui Pond,” and “Desert Prince.” Local Yue Opera performers delivered compelling interpretations that captivated the audience, earning enthusiastic applause.
The Qin Clan Ancestral Hall, built by the Qin family between 1923 and 1925, was a significant investment of over 200,000 silver dollars at the time. It stands as a remarkable example of folk art from eastern Zhejiang, with meticulous design reflecting traditional Jiangnan architectural styles. Its unique Ningbo characteristics shine through in the integration of various folk crafts, including wood carving, brick carving, stone carving, gilding, and plasterwork.
Renowned modern seal engraver and archaeologist Chu Deyi once captured the beauty of the hall’s scenic location by Moon Lake in his inscription, noting, “At the tail of the lake, the water ripples; the locals call this spot ‘Horse Eye Canal,’ where the Qin Clan Ancestral Hall is situated.”
In 2001, the hall was designated a national key cultural relic protection unit, eventually becoming a landmark in the Tianyi Pavilion Museum and the classical architecture landscape of Ningbo. The restoration project began in March 2022, marking the first significant renovation of one of Ningbo’s “national treasures” in a decade.
After careful restoration, the ancient hall has regained its vitality, with its century-old stage once again serving as a lively venue for classic performances during holidays. The space now regularly hosts traditional operas, providing audiences with a rich auditory and visual experience.
During the concert, as the last notes of Yue Opera faded, intangible cultural heritage practitioner Zhu Yulan took the stage to perform the classic “Mei Wife and Crane Son.” This rendition of “Walking Book,” which is deeply rooted in Ningbo’s culture, pays tribute to the esteemed character of Song Dynasty poet Lin Fu from Fenghua.
A representative from the Tianyi Pavilion Museum shared that the goal of showcasing Ningbo’s walking books on this historic stage is to provide more audiences the chance to connect with this relatively niche form of intangible heritage. “This initiative is not solely about preserving and promoting traditional culture; it’s also about highlighting the beauty of intangible heritage. We hope to spark greater interest and love for these cultural treasures, encouraging everyone to help safeguard and pass down this invaluable legacy,” they remarked.
