DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES FOR THE PUBLICATION OF SICHUAN'S CHINESE OPERA WISDOM: THE CASE STUDY OF ZIGONG SICHUAN OPERA ART CENTER

Abstract

China's economy, influenced by its cultural heritage, particularly Sichuan opera, has grown significantly due to the Yuan Dynasty and 21st-century advancements in science, technology, and information technology. The 18th and 19th CPC Central Committees aimed to enhance international communication and promote Chinese culture globally, with General Secretary Xi Jinping promoting respect for traditional Chinese culture. This study explored the problems and components of Sichuan opera. Current problems in Sichuan opera, Channels for distributing Sichuan opera in the present condition and Study of the elements of Sichuan opera and developing the dissemination of Sichuan opera: preparation of a Sichuan opera information book. This paper focuses on three aspects: "Ziyang River" Sichuan Opera, digitization of Sichuan Opera, and inheritance of knowledge. The research area of this paper is fixed in Zigong City, Sichuan Province, China, taking the Zigong Sichuan Opera Art Center as an example. The sample group is ordinary high school students aged 16–18 with strong learning abilities and adaptability. The research will use smart phones for questionnaire surveys and knowledge questions, as they are key to preserving traditional culture. 100 students, 50 men and 50 women, were randomly selected for analysis. The research tools for collecting data utilize literature readings, interviews, and questionnaires to collect data on Sichuan opera, river art, and inheritance status, aiming to understand its development and classification. The research results found that the problems and components of Sichuan opera, a cultural symbol in Sichuan culture, have evolved over centuries due to the distribution of water systems in the region. It forms an art school divided by river channels, known as "river art." Zigong Opera Art Center represents this school, but its development has faced challenges since its reform and opening. The development of the dissemination of Sichuan opera in preparation of the Sichuan opera information book, Ziyang River Sichuan opera has been a significant cultural influence in Zigong for centuries, but there is limited literature on its inheritance and development. A survey conducted in December 2023 revealed that 62 people know about Sichuan opera, but none know "great river Sichuan opera." During the Spring Festival in Zigong, traditional dramas were performed alongside "gongs and drums" to celebrate the New Year. This tradition continued until the People's Republic of China's founding. Zigong City's Ziliujing is the most representative, with households lighting up and competing in lively competitions. Zigong's Naannian gongs and drums, including Sichuan Opera, contribute to the development of Ziyang River Sichuan Opera percussion music. The Ziyang River Sichuan Opera, a unique art form, requires extensive data collection, including interviews with local artists and inheritors. The author conducted 15 interviews between August 2023 and January 2024 to gather information on Ziyang River Opera. The information book, designed from five aspects: history, repertoire, famous artists, inheritance, venue, and dilemma, will be used to promote the opera and its exhibition.