China national show and contest of excellent local operas (in northern China) unveiled on Dec. 13 in Shandong Theater, Jinan City, capital city of Shandong Province. Audiences in Jinan are lucky to see a diversity of local operas at a time such as Bangzi, Pingju Opera, Qinqiang Opera, Lvju Opera, Errentai Opera, and so on.

The national show and contest is presented in two separate areas, namely the northern area and the southern area. 19 local opera plays from 12 provinces attended the northern area show and contest. These 19 opera plays were nominated by the experts from Culture Ministry of China.

The local operas in the national show and contest of northern area keep the original operas and up-to-date adapted operas as well, reflecting the real life of modern society.

Hualong Dianjing, the first show in the contest by Shandong Lvju Opera, initiated the contest. At the end, 14 local operas, including Shao Jianghai, Gezaixi Opera by Xiamen Gezaixi Troupe, Hualong Dianjing, The Imperial Family in Wind and Rain by Liuzi Troupe, won the first class prize of the contest.

The Local Opera Prize will be presented on Dec. 28.

Besides Peking Opera, known as the "national opera," China boasts more than 360 local styles of operas, of which about 50 enjoy great popularity.

A foreign visitor can enjoy at least one style of local opera wherever he travels in China. Though local opera is strongly challenged by film, TV, disco and other kinds of entertainment these days, it will attracts regular audiences and companies are trying by every means to compete in the fast-changing entertainment world.

World history has been three ancient dramas: Greek tragedy and comedy; Indian Sanskrit drama; and Chinese opera (xiqu). The first two have become historical and only Chinese opera has survived.

Chinese opera took shape in the 12th century. After developing for more than 800 years, it is still full of vitality. At present, the country has more than 2,000 local opera troupes, which stage thousands of pieces.

In China, a local opera form is usually popular in several provinces, while one province sees several local operas. For example, Ping Opera is popular in Beijing, Tianjin, Inner Mongolia, North China and Northeast China. In the Beijing area, not only Peking Opera but also Ping Opera, Hebei Bangzi Opera, Beijing Qu Opera and Northern Kun Opera enjoy acclaim.