Artists perform a Muju Opera show in Singapore. [Photo/WeChat account: chunanfabu]

Hangzhou's Intangible Cultural Heritage Carnival toured Singapore and Malaysia from Jan 28 to Feb 4, bringing Chun'an county's national-level heritage Muju Opera onto the international stage for the first time.

With its rustic melodies and vivid storytelling, this traditional art form sparked strong interest among local audiences and added a new chapter to China-Singapore cultural exchange.

Originating in western Zhejiang, Muju Opera is known for its earthy style, lively tunes and performances inspired by real life, often dubbed "art from the fields". The troupe presented some classic pieces including Planting Wheat on South Mountain and Kuixing Dance, blending traditional singing, acting and movement with modern stage aesthetics to revive the centuries-old genre.

At a featured show at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Center on Feb 1, the performance drew warm applause and laughter. Many first-time viewers were moved by the opera's sincerity and charm, praising it as "wonderful" and "fascinating".

Beyond the theater, the troupe also staged interactive performances in community spaces, malls and schools, engaging over 3,000 students through workshops and demonstrations.

Troupe head Zheng Shuijun said the overseas debut was both an honor and a responsibility, describing the tour as not only an artistic showcase but also a meaningful dialogue bridging people of various cultures and traditions across borders.

Performers from Chun'an interact with local residents. [Photo/WeChat account: chunanfabu]