Many urban residents in Lhasa, capital city of southwest China's Tibet have high hopes for the Tibetan opera performances held during the festival, and after the unveilings of giant thangka paintings of Buddha, people will go to Norbulingka or Dzongyab Lukang  to watch the performances.

 

At the Lhasa Mass Culture and Sports Center, a choreographer is carefully instructing the actors on stage.

From their formations to dance moves, everything is taken very seriously.

 

Off stage, those actors who are not rehearsing are taking a rest and also learning about different dance moves from their peers.

 

"Even though I've rehearsed some moves several times, I still get them wrong. In order to not make mistakes during the show, I'd like to practice a few more times," one Tibetan opera performer said.

 

"The rehearsal time each year is very short. Last year we only had about 20 days, and this year we have 15 days to mobilize personnel, rehearse, prepare costumes and props.

 

The time is very pressed, but in order to give the audience a wonderful performance, we must intensify our practice," Jiang Cun, director of the Tibet Autonomous Region's Song and Dance Troupe said.

In another rehearsal room, there is a group of adorable Tibetan opera actors.

 

These 44 actors are students from a primary school of the Chengguan District of Lhasa. They will be responsible for the opening performance as well as two additional performances.

 

This year, the Shopa Folk Tibetan Opera Troupe, a frequent visitor at Shoton Festival, will perform Sugyi Nyima and Pema Wenbang at the Dzongyab Lukang  and Norbulingka on August 25 and 27 respectively,  apart from the opening performance.