The second weekend of the 2025 Changhua Traditional Opera Festival brought its featured performance to Puyan Township, a community renowned for its agricultural heritage and rich cultural traditions. On the evening of November 16th, the acclaimed Ming Hwa Yuan Arts and Culture Group – the Ri Theatrical Troupe (明華園日字團) took the stage at Hao Hsiu Elementary School (好修國小) to present the classic masterpiece “Red Dust Bodhi (紅塵菩提).” County Mayor Wang Hui-Mei attended the event, joining residents in enjoying the grand performance. Next Sunday (11/30) at 3 PM, the festival’s finale, “Beiguan Rock (北管小搖滾),” will take place at the Changhua Confucius Temple. The program features local music groups including Hug Muzik (曾立馨), Innahue Music Studio (圓仔花樂團), and Xiang Che Gong Beiguan Ensemble (上乂工北管同樂會), who will blend rock elements with traditional Beiguan melodies to break conventional boundaries and deliver a refreshing cross-genre experience. The public is welcome to attend this exciting performance. 
 
The Ri Theatrical Troupe inherits the rich artistic legacy of Ming Hwa Yuan’s 90 year opera tradition. Led by Taiwan’s premier chou (clown) role performer Chen Sheng Zai and Ming Hwa Yuan’s leading female performer Cheng Ya Sheng, the troupe has been recognized as an “Outstanding Performing Arts Group” by the Kaohsiung City Government. Centering its performances on the chou role, the troupe skillfully blends comedic elements with delicate emotional expression, showcasing the unique charm of Taiwanese opera where humor and depth coexist. Their work has long been beloved by audiences. The troupe is also committed to cultivating young performers, bringing Taiwanese opera into everyday life through more accessible and diverse forms, and demonstrating vibrant cross generational influence. The story of “Red Dust Bodhi” revolves around political turmoil within a dynasty and the conflict between two brothers. Ultimately, the truth and the power of family bonds resolve their long standing grievances, highlighting themes of family reconciliation and the brilliance of human nature. The performance deeply moved the audience. 
 
This large-scale Taiwanese opera performance was specially arranged to add a highlight to the 2025 Changhua Traditional Opera Festival, and public participation has been enthusiastic. As of this week, the festival has attracted nearly 5,000 attendees. The county government has long placed great importance on preserving and passing down traditional opera, continuously promoting traditional arts through the festival and various related programs. Taiwanese opera performances are also frequently included in township celebrations, bringing the art form into everyday community life. By featuring Taiwanese opera in this year’s program, the festival not only enriches its overall content but also aims to draw more people—especially younger audiences—closer to the art form, hoping the public can experience the beauty of traditional performing arts and help sustain the vitality of local cultural heritage.