Shi Ruoxu (center) [Photo provided to China Daily]

This year marks the 100th birth anniversary of Shi Ruoxu, famous Chinese opera educator and the first president of the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, and the 40th anniversary since Chinese theater arts has been included into higher education curriculum.

In commemoration of the achievements Shi made to China's contemporary theater arts education, National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts hosted a symposium attended by the administrative board of the academy, representatives from Shi's hometown Binzhou, and Shi's colleagues and students.

"Shi not only contributed to the founding of the academy, but also took charge of the long-term teaching work and the construction of the academy's theater arts education system. He is a leading character in bringing Chinese theater arts into higher education," Ba Tu, the current president of the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, said.
 

Shi Ruoxu (center) [Photo provided to China Daily]

Gong Yu, the Party secretary of the academy, said it is vital to inherit the legacy of esteemed educators in contemporary theater arts education. "It is the academy's fundamental task to strengthen moral standard and foster talents. This is a fine tradition of the Chinese theater culture."

Apart from the symposium, the series of commemoration events included a photo exhibition and a cooperation project with the municipal government of Binzhou. In April, a Chinese theater arts education center was established in Binzhou, with a statue of Shi unveiled at the center.

Pan Qing, the vice-mayor of the municipal government of Binzhou, expressed his hope in the further and deeper cooperation with the academy, to inherit the spirit of Shi, work for opera education, and preserve cultural heritages.

 

 

Shi Ruoxu [Photo provided to China Daily]