In the spring of 1988, an artistic journey across borders caused a sensation. Qi Shufang, an artist who shines on the stage of Peking Opera, takes her team on a journey to the United States. They originally wanted to promote traditional Chinese culture, but who would have thought that this performance would become their vow never to return to China.
Qi Shufang has had a strong interest in Peking Opera since she was a child, and her brothers' performances on stage have always fascinated her. Although she fell to Sun Shan when she applied for the Shanghai Opera School, she did not give up. In Shanghai, she persevered in pursuing her dreams until she met Zhang Meijuan, a female martial artist who became her mentor. Under the guidance of Zhang Meijuan, Qi Shufang's skills improved by leaps and bounds, and at the age of 16, she won the appreciation of Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang with her outstanding performance.
After becoming famous, Qi Shufang became a bright star in the Peking Opera industry. However, just when her career was in full swing, a Chinese-American boss invited her to perform in the United States. Qi Shufang was hesitant at first, but considering the importance of promoting traditional Chinese culture, she finally agreed. The performance was a huge success, and Chinese Americans were full of praise for her performance.
However, after the performance, Qi Shufang made a surprising decision: to stay in the United States. After this news was transmitted back to China, it caused a huge controversy. Many people believe that she betrayed the motherland and became a "traitor". Her husband, Gong Guotai, was also shocked and disappointed when he learned the news. He originally thought that his wife went to the United States out of the pursuit of art, but he did not expect that she would decide to stay there.
In the United States, Qi Shufang's life was not as smooth as she imagined. She founded the Peking Opera Troupe, but encountered many difficulties in the early days. Americans don't know much about appreciating Peking Opera as an art form, so her performance did not achieve much response. In order to make a living, she even had to go to the dishes to make money. But Qi Shufang did not give up, she led the team to many American towns and villages, and performed thousands of times. Her persistence eventually paid off, and her team gradually gained the attention and affection of Americans.
Later, Qi Shufang's team even received the attention and support of the United States**, and her fame gradually rose. She became the first Chinese-American artist to receive the highest achievement award in traditional American art. This achievement is not only a recognition of her personal talent, but also a victory for traditional Chinese culture on the international stage.
In 2008, Qi Shufang returned to China to visit relatives and accepted an interview. As for the reason for staying in the United States that year, she said that it was to promote the traditional culture of the motherland. But when asked when she would change her nationality to China, she chose to remain silent. Perhaps for her, nationality is not the most important thing, but she hopes to convey the charm of Chinese culture through her artistic performances.
Qi Shufang's story left us with deep food for thought. How do we balance pursuing our personal dreams with promoting traditional culture? What are the responsibilities of an artist? Do you stick to your homeland or cross borders? There may not be a standard answer to these questions, but Qi Shufang's experience undoubtedly provides us with a unique perspective and space for thinking.