The 51st Secondary School, a Teaching Site of the Confucius Institute in Sofia, Held a Peking Opera Mask Experience Event

On February 19, the 51st Secondary School "Elisaveta Bagryana", a teaching site of the Confucius Institute in Sofia, held a Peking Opera mask experience event. The government-sponsored Chinese teacher from the Institute and 10 students from the school participated in the activity.

First, the teacher vividly and clearly explained to the students the origin and cultural meaning of Peking Opera masks, and also introduced the relationship between mask colors and the personalities of the characters. Afterwards, the teacher played a short video of a Peking Opera performance. The students were able to directly experience the vocal style, stage makeup, and costume of Peking Opera, gaining a deeper understanding of the use of masks on stage.

After that, the teacher started a quiz about mask colors and characters’ personalities, and through this interaction reinforced the learned content. The students deepened their understanding and memory of the culture of Peking Opera masks in a relaxed and joyful atmosphere.

Lastly, there was the Peking Opera mask-making session. The students picked up cardboard and color pens, and under the guidance of the teacher, filled in the colors and applied the knowledge they had learned in the creative process. One by one, many brightly colored Peking Opera masks were successfully completed.

During this activity, the students said that they had not only learned new Chinese vocabulary but also experienced the charm of Chinese opera culture. By engaging with Chinese aesthetics through their senses, their interest in Chinese culture was further enhanced.

Confucius Institute in Sofia

Text and photos: Xiang Han

Editors: Chen Ying, Aksiniya Koleva, Ding Chen

English translation: Dima Pironkova