An artist wearing Tibetan costume performs at the opening ceremony of Shoton Festival in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Aug. 17, 2012. Shoton Festival 2012 kicked off on Friday, setting various events including Tibetan Music Summit, Lhasa Beer Festival and equestrian performance. The seven-day festival, which literally means "yogurt banquet festival," is one of the most important festivals for Tibetans.[Photo/ Xinhua]
With a history spanning 600 years, Tibetan Opera is a main feature of the Lhasa Shoton Festival, the most prestigious Tibetan cultural event of the year. And this year, there's an element of competition.
During the week long Shoton Festival, seven troupes from across Tibet Autonomous Region will vie for the honor of winning the first ever Tibetan Opera competition. They’re taking to the stage at two major parks in Lhasa, truly a feast for the eyes and ears.
This troupe from Shannan Prefecture in the southern part of the region was founded in 1978. They’re a favorite among Tibetan opera fans and perform around 20 performances across Tibet each year.
The opera they’re performing is about a prince about to do battle. He bids his love farewell and asks her to wait until his triumphant return.
Tibetan opera came under the protection of local government in 2005. In 2009, it was recognized as a world intangible heritage. There are now 80 Tibetan opera troupes all in all, each of which receive between 20 to 200,000 yuan of annual sponsorship from the government.
Tibetan people enjoy the performance at the opening ceremony of Shoton Festival in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Aug. 17, 2012. Shoton Festival 2012 kicked off on Friday, setting various events including Tibetan Music Summit, Lhasa Beer Festival and equestrian performance. The seven-day festival, which literally means "yogurt banquet festival," is one of the most important festivals for Tibetans.[Photo/ Xinhua]
Performers sing and dance at the opening ceremony of Shoton Festival in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Aug. 17, 2012. Shoton Festival 2012 kicked off on Friday, setting various events including Tibetan Music Summit, Lhasa Beer Festival and equestrian performance. The seven-day festival, which literally means "yogurt banquet festival," is one of the most important festivals for Tibetans.[Photo/ Xinhua]
Performers sing and dance at the opening ceremony of Shoton Festival in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Aug. 17, 2012. Shoton Festival 2012 kicked off on Friday, setting various events including Tibetan Music Summit, Lhasa Beer Festival and equestrian performance. The seven-day festival, which literally means "yogurt banquet festival," is one of the most important festivals for Tibetans.[Photo/ Xinhua]
