Have you ever imagined combining the flamboyant makeup and melodies of Peking Opera with the energetic dances and rhythms of Xinjiang’s folk culture? Meet Ayqihra Abliz, a Urumqi-born drama student who’s turning this dream into reality! 🎭💃
Growing up in an artistic family in Urumqi—the capital of the Chinese mainland’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region—Ayqihra’s earliest memories involve finger cymbals, folk tunes at home, and the swirling robes of Peking Opera she’d watch on TV. By age 12, she scored a spot at the Middle School Affiliated to the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, training in Qingyi (the elegant female role) of the Mei School (a style named after opera legend Mei Lanfang). It was rigorous, but she was hooked!
Now majoring in drama, film and television performance at college, Ayqihra heads back to Urumqi every break. There, open fields become her stage—impromptu acts of singing, dancing, and experimenting with color-blocked silk costumes under the Central Asian sky. It’s like a live mashup you’d love to catch on your Discover feed.
Her vision? A seamless fusion of Peking Opera’s dramatic flair and Xinjiang folk’s soulful energy. Imagine the high-pitched Opera vocals weaving around Uygur rawap melodies, or a classic stage gesture paired with lively Atlas Mountain–inspired dance steps. For Ayqihra, both are treasures of China’s cultural tapestry—ready to intertwine, take root, and thrive in this crossroads of cultures. 🔥🌏
As she experiments in studios and local festivals, Ayqihra hopes to inspire young creatives across South and Southeast Asia: mix traditions, remix stories, and own your cultural journey. After all, art isn’t about sticking to one playlist—it’s about creating your own epic setlist. 🎶✨
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Where Peking Opera swirls into Xinjiang's folk song and dance
cgtn.com
