Tibetan opera offers amateur actors extra income

By:China Daily
update:June 21,2016

"I consider my participation in the play as a chance to do sports, and it makes me feel happy as it is also an amusing activity," said the 29-year-old, adding that she hoped more tourists would come and watch the opera in future.

"Not only can they experience unique local Tibetan dances, songs, and Tibetan opera, they can also learn more about Tibetan culture and history," she said.

Pedron, another actress in the opera, said she received a salary of 3,000 yuan per month for her work with the production.

"My family condition was poor in the past, but since becoming an actress for the opera, I am no longer a burden on the government," said the 57-year-old.

"It is not only a job, my communication skills have also improved a lot."

Han Sheng, a professor at Shanghai Theatre Academy and the opera's art director, said Tibet's cultural resources would help attract more visitors to the region, and Gyaltse in particular.

"With its fascinating landscape, harmonious ecology, and rich cultural resources, Gyaltse is a place with interesting stories," said Han.

"Our obligation is to share these stories, and make them known worldwide, to attract more people here, and to turn these resources into jobs."

Officials at Gyaltse's tourism bureau said the live action opera not only highlights the county's culture and history, it also provides an opportunity for locals to benefit economically.

"The opera demonstrates the county's unique intangible cultural heritage, such as its ancient dances, six-stringed guitar songs, and the special festivals of Vonkhor and Damag," said Kalsang Dawa, deputy head of the county's tourism bureau.

"More than 300 local farmers and herdsmen have participated in the opera as players, and they can earn an average salary of 3,000 yuan per month. It is a big contribution for the local residents to boost their income."

The opera is the first of its kind in Tibet, with no equal in any of the region's 74 counties.

According to the tourism bureau, Gyaltse received 84,500 tourists last year and tourism revenue hit 29 million yuan.

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