In the art world China not only remembers its traditions but is working hard to recreate and refresh them.

Recognized opera artists from the Yangtze River Delta are gathered in Shanghai for the next month.

The event aims to illuminate the fortes of the different operatic traditions. But more than that, it aims to assemble the strongest elements from those traditions, to create a unique cultural card for the region.

Opera lovers scrambled for the Shanghai Yifu Stage to see the Huangmei Opera performance. The company's lead actress Wu Qiong has been away from the Shanghai stage for more than a decade.

During the month-long event, 15 performances from four different operatic genres will be staged by six troupes. All are from around the Yangtze River Delta.

Up to now, 15 thousand people have come out to the shows. About one third say it's their first visit to a performance of traditional opera.

Organizers say the event not only promotes the traditional arts in modern society, it also is a positive attempt to create interaction among different cultures around the Yangtze River Delta.

Lin Hongming, general manager of Shanghai Oriental Arts Center, said, "The Yangtze River Delta is one of the areas which boosts strongest cultural resources in the country. As a Chinese theatre, it's our task to introduce world arts to Chinese audiences. We should also do our bit for our national culture."

Along with the development of the Yangtze River Delta economic zone in recent years, local governments have placed emphasis on cultural cooperation and exchange across the region.

One example is the multi-media show "Era". The long-running Shanghai stage sensation won contracts with a dozen travel agencies in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. The agencies sell show tickets and help with promotion. At last report, the show had earned 100 million yuan, or about 14 million US dollars.

Organizers plan more shows during the next two years and to bring the performances to a wider audience.

(CCTV April 10,2008)