Guizhou performers showcase local culture at WTO headquarters

Performers from Guizhou and Jiangxi bring Chinese culture to the stage in Geneva. [Photo provided to eguizhou.gov.cn]

The "Melody of Harmony" Cultural Performance for the World Trade Organization (WTO) Public Forum 2026 was staged on Sept 15 at the WTO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Artists from Guizhou Cultural and Performing Arts Industry Group and Fuzhou, East China's Jiangxi province, brought a mix of Peking Opera, regional opera, traditional ethnic instrumentals, folk songs and dances, and a cappella multi-voiced choral music to the stage.

The Peking Opera classic Fairy Scattering Flowers kicked off the evening. With graceful water sleeves and expressive body movements, the performers brought the aesthetic of Chinese opera to Geneva.

Sounds of Tree Leaves captured the distant echoes of forests deep in Guizhou, while The Peony Pavilion showcased the timeless charm of traditional opera through melodious vocals.

Pieces such as Jasmine Flower and The World is Full of Love drew the audience into a shared emotional space of warmth and connection. Meanwhile, the galloping strings of Racing Horses, the poised subtlety of The Drunken Concubine, and the passionate rhythms of Folk Song Duets Until Sunset allowed classical and contemporary art, as well as opera and ethnic music, to complement one another on the same stage.

The performance concluded with the Toast Song, passing on the heartfelt hospitality of the Guizhou people and sending a message of harmony to the world.

Featuring a rich blend of Chinese heritage, regional charm, and global appeal, the event brought traditional Chinese culture to a worldwide audience in an accessible way, adding a unique voice to cultural exchanges and mutual learning.