Guo Lihui – Inheritor of Dian Opera in Guandu District, Kunming 

Early Life and Background

Guo Lihui (郭利辉), a male member of the Han ethnic group, was born in April 1952 in Wula Village (五腊村), Yiliu Township (矣六乡), Guandu District (官渡区), Kunming, Yunnan Province. His hometown, Wula Village, is known for its long-standing tradition of Dian Opera (滇戏), a local theatrical form that has been passed down through generations. The village’s “Wula Dian Opera Troupe” (五腊滇戏班) has a history of more than 250 years, and it remains a vital cultural hub for the preservation and performance of this traditional art.

Guo’s father, Guo Zhong (郭忠), was a fifth-generation performer in the Wula Dian Opera Troupe, while his daughter, Guo Rui (郭蕊), is part of the seventh generation. Growing up in this environment, Guo Lihui developed a deep love and respect for Dian Opera from an early age. He began learning to sing Dian Opera at the age of six or seven under the guidance of his father.

Training and Early Performances

At the age of 22, Guo Lihui furthered his training by studying Dian Opera with teachers from the Provincial Dian Opera Troupe and the Provincial Art School. His talent quickly became evident when he made his stage debut with a small opera titled Postponed Marriage (推迟婚期), which earned him first place in a local competition.

Through years of practice and performance, Guo Lihui gained substantial experience in both small opera scenes (折子戏) and full-length performances (本子戏), playing primarily roles of young male characters (小生). His deep understanding of stage arts allowed him to broaden his focus to writing and producing plays and skits that depict modern life.

Creative Works and Achievements

Guo Lihui’s creative skills flourished as he began writing and directing his own works. His self-composed and self-directed play Late Life Happiness (晚年乐) won the Grand Prize in the “Family Happiness” competition in Guandu District. His skit Chimney Mishap (烟囱误) received first-class performance awards at a provincial drama and skit performance. His subsequent participation in the national skit competition earned him a third-place award for performance.

In addition, his work Making a Falsehood True (弄假成真) won a first-place award in the district’s literary and artistic competition for both performance and creation. Selling Tofu (卖豆腐), another one of his works, won first place in the Kunming City art competition.

Contribution to Dian Opera and Local Culture

Guo Lihui’s efforts have played a key role in the promotion and preservation of Dian Opera in his community. He developed the “Wula Dragon Dance and Art Troupe” (五腊龙灯艺术团), where he serves as the troupe leader. The troupe is not only known for performing Dian Opera and Huadeng (花灯) performances, but it also includes dragon dancing as part of its repertoire. The troupe consists of 26 members, and its assets, including costumes and props, are worth over 40,000 yuan.

The troupe regularly organizes various cultural performances and actively participates in events organized by the district. Guo’s entire family is involved in the arts—his daughter was accepted into the Provincial Art School to study Dian Opera, and his son performs as the dragon head in the troupe’s dragon dance. The family even participated in the National Dragon Dance Competition in Hainan, where they won an organizational award.

Legacy and Impact

With over 30 years of experience in the performing arts, Guo Lihui has contributed significantly to the legacy and development of both Dian Opera and Huadeng in his community. His efforts have not only helped preserve the traditions of these performing arts but have also ensured that they continue to thrive in modern times. Through his work, Guo Lihui has strengthened the cultural identity of his hometown and promoted the artistic heritage of Yunnan.

His devotion to Dian Opera and local arts continues to inspire future generations of performers. His involvement in both traditional and modern forms of drama has enriched the local cultural landscape and contributed to the ongoing vitality of Yunnan’s performing arts.