The Haimen shan'ge cultural event was held in Piyan village, Nantong's Haimen district, bringing well-known folk songs to local villagers. The performance was part of a broader initiative aimed at promoting local art and preserving cultural heritage.

The Haimen shan'ge, or "mountain song", a genre of folk song, is an essential part of Jianghai culture, linking the area's past and present. Over the past 50 years, these songs have evolved from rural folk tunes into a nationally recognized form of musical theater known as Haimen Shan'ge Opera. With over 200 classic plays, the songs' historical and social value has been invaluable for cultural study and preservation.

In the past year, the Haimen Shan'ge Art Theater has made significant strides in both preserving and advancing the art form. The theater performed nearly 150 rural outreach shows and participated in more than 20 cultural exchange events. The Shan'ge exhibition hall was even awarded the title of the province's "Most Beautiful Public Cultural Art Space".

One of the standout achievements of the past year was the large-scale mountain song opera "Chang Le Er Nu (常乐儿女)", which was selected as the only piece from Nantong to be performed at the 2024 Jiangsu Zijing Cultural Arts Festival. This marks the first time the Haimen Shan'ge Art Theater has received recognition at the prestigious event, and it is also the first time a stage production from Haimen has been honored.

"We put a lot of effort into our performances," said Yu Leijun, director of the art theater. “The production 'Chang Le Er Nu' is a significant achievement, and we're proud to have it featured at such a high-level festival."

Chen Qianlin, director of the theater's acting group, added, "As performers, we focus on perfecting our craft. We learn from our predecessors, rehearse diligently, and make sure every performance is engaging for the audience."

A performance of Haimen shan'ge. [Photo/Nantong Daily]