Zhanhua, a small county (now a district) located on the coast of the Bohai Sea in Shandong province, is home to a millennia-old fishing culture and has given birth to the centuries-old Yugu Opera. Yugu Opera has experienced both rise and decline, yet it continues to be cherished and passed down by the people of Zhanhua. The Zhanhua Yugu Opera Troupe was born in this very place. Before long, this small troupe from a small county and a minor opera genre will be invited to participate in the International Experimental Theatre Festival in Egypt and step onto the international stage.

　　A small county, through the perseverance and innovation of a dedicated group of people, has transformed the local Yugu Opera from a minor regional drama into a major theatrical production. The story of Yugu Opera's breakthrough and growth is not only about how a local theatrical genre can unleash its potential in adversity but also about how a small county's drama troupe overcomes existential anxieties.

　　The rare phenomenon of “a small city producing a grand drama and a small troupe creating high-quality works“ has validated the success of Yugu Opera. Moreover, the success of the Zhanhua Yugu Opera Troupe has provided valuable experience for similar troupes across the country.

　　The Path of Rebirth

　　Yugu Opera, with a history of over 300 years, was inscribed on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List in June 2008. It is named for the performers who hold a “yugu“ (a type of drum) in their arms and use bamboo clappers to keep the rhythm while singing and reciting. Widely popular in Shandong Province, Yugu Opera is beloved by the public for its flexible and free-form performance content and its down-to-earth singing style.