Award ceremony for the 13th China Quyi Peony Awards takes place in Nantong on Oct 26. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

The award ceremony for the 13th China Quyi Peony Awards was held at Nantong Grand Theater on Oct 26, marking the start of five public performances in the city.

The biennial awards are the highest national award in the quyi art community. Since its establishment in 2000, the awards and series of events have become essential for promoting outstanding traditional Chinese culture and the charm of quyi art.

Zhang Tong, mayor of Nantong, mentioned in her speech that Nantong has a rich quyi atmosphere with diverse local quyi genres and that the thriving quyi culture has become a distinctive feature of the city's Jianghai culture.

Zhang also noted that hosting this edition of the China Quyi Peony Awards in Nantong will undoubtedly revitalize and brighten the art in the city.

This edition received 465 entries from 32 members of the Chinese Ballad Singers Association, art committees, as well as other art groups. That evening, awards such as the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Lifetime Achievement Award and the 13th China Quyi Peony Awards for programs, performance, literature, and new talent were presented.

Activities such as pingtan performances by young talents, a training session, and a meeting with award winners were also held during the event.

By the end of this month, quyi masters will give lectures at Nantong University, public performances will take place at the Nantong Grand Theater and Jiangsu Police Institute, and outstanding young quyi talents will perform at Haimen Grand Theater, among other activities.