Ouyang Yuqian: Pioneer of Chinese drama, influencer of Guilin's culture

A photo of the Guiju Opera Mulan Joins the Army, written by Ouyang in 1939. [Photo/WeChat account: guilinfestival]

As the first director of the Guangxi Provincial Art Museum, Ouyang fostered artistic innovation, especially in theater, helping Guiju Opera reflect the realities of modern life and the anti-Japanese resistance movement. His influence solidified Guilin's status as a southern hub of wartime cultural resistance.

In 2024, the Guilin Festival commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Southwest Drama Exhibition, with the launch of the first Ouyang Yuqian Drama Award to honor his enduring legacy. Ouyang's spirit of artistic exploration and reform continues to inspire generations of theater artists, ensuring that the light of culture shines brightly over Guilin once again.