“My small plays and skits are all inspired by the life in my village; they have the most genuine rural flavor.” This is a phrase that Yin Xiande, the leader of the village drama troupe in Yuliang Village, Daotuo Town, often shares when discussing his creative experiences. Since joining the village cultural team at the age of 17, the now 83-year-old Yin has maintained his passion for creating and performing small plays and skits, producing over 200 works including sketches, crosstalk, and Liuqin opera.
Whether as a witty and eloquent crosstalk performer or as the stumbling “grandmother” in a sketch, Yin vividly portrays rural cultural characteristics through his art, showcasing them in a compelling manner. This dedication to small plays and skits has been his original intention for decades.
Similarly, in Yuliang Village, there is a Liuqin opera enthusiast named Gao Chuanying, who shares Yin’s enthusiasm for rural culture.
“Happy events bring joy to the community, with the party secretary delivering a speech, accompanied by song and dance…” This is part of Gao’s performance with the village drama troupe, presenting a Liuqin opera about wedding customs reform titled “Pomegranate Blossoms.” Wearing a stylish outfit and a cap, she sings catchy lyrics that add a unique flair to the performance.
In Yishui County, cultural associations have been established in all 18 townships and streets, with artistic talents in every village. The county has produced a series of small plays and skits like “Village Joys” and “Joyous Occasions,” cleverly integrating the content of new civil norms into local artistic works. These performances, combining local customs and dialects, are particularly well-received, often earning rounds of applause and effectively delivering policies to the hearts of the people.
“The Han Family Tune is great! A beautiful environment encourages participation, neighbors help each other and promote harmony, and happiness abounds…” Entering the Lighthouse Cinema to hear the cheerful music and dance of the Han Family Tune, the audience claps enthusiastically. Amid the laughter and joy, a new wave of civilization quietly enters the hearts of the rural community.
“The performances talk about our village’s happy neighborhood life, getting rid of bad habits and establishing new customs, and everyone sings along. We have become promoters of civility.” For the villagers, the self-composed lyrics are catchy, reflecting their love for rural life. Today, “small plays and skits” have become a hallmark of cultural outreach in Yishui, with more residents joining the artistic performance teams. Each of the 18 townships has multiple artistic groups that regularly conduct touring performances.
Leveraging its resources for comprehensive tourism, Yishui County has this year broadly hosted various cultural and sports activities in rural areas, such as fitness programs, reading initiatives, and “Village Basketball Association” basketball tournaments. These events not only promote health concepts and literary appreciation but also foster traditional virtues, cultivating a civilized rural atmosphere, good family values, and simple folk customs.