Kunqu opera captivates Budapest

From flash mob performances at landmarks to immersive workshops, the China Cultural Center in Budapest curated a Kunqu Opera tour featuring artists from the Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theater from July 10 to 11, treating Hungarian audiences to the unique charm of the centuries-old Chinese opera.

At St. Stephen’s Square, the Vajdahunyad Castle, and the Fisherman’s Bastion, the Kunqu actors staged performances of excerpts from iconic Kunqu Opera pieces such as Lin Chong’s Night Escape, The Peony Pavilion, and Sun Wukong Borrows the Banana Leaf Fan. The showcases attracted tourists from near and far to pause, watch, ask for photos with the actors and chat with them to learn more about this elegant, mesmerizing operatic tradition.

Following the flash mob performances, the China Cultural Center in the Hungarian capital offered two interactive Kunqu workshops. Each, with 50 participants, opened with the garden scene from The Peony Pavilion. The graceful “water-mill” singing style and elegant movements transported audiences into a poetic spring garden, leaving them enchanted by the subtle beauty of Eastern aesthetics.

Artists then invited volunteers onstage to learn basic Kunqu gestures, finger techniques, walking steps, and poses — from lanhua zhi (orchid finger gesture) to water sleeve dance movements. Participants practiced with great enthusiasm, earning applause despite occasional awkwardness.

The highlight was the costume and makeup session. Hungarian faces were transformed into Kunqu characters: one became a cheeky little mouse mimicking the act of stealing oil, another embodied the ancient Chinese warlord Cao Cao with authoritative strides, a third turned into the lively Monkey King, and others portrayed the graceful Du Liniang, the heroine of The Peony Pavilion. Dressed in exquisite costumes and makeup, participants followed instructors to practice movements, filling the room with camera clicks and laughter.

Many attendees were repeat fans who had first encountered the flash mobs. “I was stunned by the performance at Fisherman’s Bastion,” one said. “Today, wearing the costume myself feels magical!”

Several said that they had already booked tickets for the upcoming full performances.

On the evening of July 12, a special performance titled “Chinese Kunqu Meets Hungarian Opera” took place at the Aranytiz House of Culture in Budapest. The Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre continued the tour to Hungarian cities of Miskolc and Debrecen, further enriching Sino-Hungarian cultural dialogue through street performances, interactive workshops, and theater shows.

The tour was organized as part of the “Conversation and Connection” series of events to mark the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations.