You are here: Home > Culture > Spotlight

Adjust font size:

"I am grateful for the government's construction of a new performance area in Tianqiao. I am getting old and cannot wait any longer. I need a fixed platform to show my folk arts and pass them on to younger generations," 75-year-old folk artist Ban Xiulan said.

75-old folk artist Ban Xiulan performs her traditional magic on April 12 at her home in Tongzhou District, Beijing City. [Photo/By Wang Yanfang]

Located in today's Xicheng District, Beijing City, Tianqiao is a folk arts center where traditional tricks, cross talks, Chinese instrumental music and acrobatics are representative long-standing practice. However, the Sino-Japanese War in 1937 destroyed the area's original prosperity.

At present, the Xicheng government plans to spend about 15 billion yuan (US$2.4 billion) to revive the region and build a new two-square kilometer performance area.

The project aims to develop theaters and create a platform for local experts to display their cultural masterpieces. Ban becomes excited each time with the mention of the project. "Some of my contemporaries are dead and their work is now lost. It is a pity," said Ban. "I don't want to see a similar sort of thing occurring again."

Growing up in Tianqiao, Ban is famous for her special magic performance that combines traditional Chinese acrobatics with a variety of tricks.

She was known as "Little Lotus" by her fans because of her good traditional Chinese magic performance – Lotus Beauty, when she was younger.

"I am an unfortunate person, and I'd never had enough food and clothing since childhood. I was sold eight times by traffickers when I was a child. I actually never knew my family name. The Ban family adopted me, and I use this name. Before the foundation of New China, folk artists around Tianqiao had a very low social standing," she said.

In the past, folk artists chose a vacant lot and performed while giving a running commentary and conducting promotional activities. Audiences would pay for the performance of their own free will, and if the audience didn't think it was good enough they would simply not pay.

At that time folk artists were under great pressures to make a day-to-day living. 'They must be not only good at arts but also promoting, or they might not make any money," Ban said.

"However, since the foundation of New China, folk artists' social position has been increased. I once gave a performance for the country's leader," Ban said proudly. "I even had an opportunity to become a movie star, but I declined because I have a strong love for my folk artist career."

"I now have six students studying under me – free of charge, and I am going around the country giving performance without worrying about making money. I hope my arts can be passed down to future generations," Ban said.

Print E-mail

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)

Add your comments...

• User Name Required
• Your Comment
• Enter the words you see:    
  Racist, abusive and off-topic comments may be removed by the moderator.