Encouraging the unemployed, Taiwanese opera sings to you

(Taiwan Business News) At 63 years old this year, veteran Taiwanese opera star Lian Mingyue has remained devoted to the stage for many years. On May 19, she will perform at the Taiwan Boulevard Municipal Building, hoping to use drama that blends tradition with modern humor to encourage the unemployed to regain their courage and return to the stage of work.

To encourage people in the trough of unemployment to return to the workplace, the Chinese Family Care and Assistance Association, a incorporated association, invited Lian Mingyue, once a household name and leading dan actress of CTS Taiwanese opera, to perform at the city government, and held a press conference yesterday (the 15th). Director-General of Information Shi Jingwen, city councilors Shen Youlian, Li Zhong, Liu Shizhou and others were all present to pay their respects.

Dressed in opera costume, Lian Mingyue first opened with an exciting traditional dance, then bantered back and forth with the host, wittily introducing the performance set to take the stage at 2 p.m. on May 19 in the city government assembly hall. Her humorous and lively talk drew repeated laughter from those present.

Undaunted by the trend of Taiwanese opera's gradual decline, Lian Mingyue has continued to perform strenuously on stage for many years and founded the "Mingyue Garden Traditional Culture Performance Troupe," which currently has regular performances at Wuqi Fishing Harbor in Taichung City.

Lian Mingyue said she was born into a Taiwanese opera family and began performing with her parents at the age of 3. She has performed with Taiwanese opera stars such as Yang Lihua and "Xiao Mingming" Wu Mingxia. Although she is 63 years old this year, she has never given up performing. "This is a mission!" she stressed. Being able to still "che bo fan (Taiwanese)" on stage at such an age is a blessing.

She also called on unemployed people not to lose heart, but to step forward bravely. Growing old does not mean one cannot work, nor does one need to rely only on younger generations; one should strive again through one's own strength.

Regarding the upcoming performance at the city government assembly hall, Lian Mingyue also thanked Mayor Hu Zhiqiang for his full support. She said she had performed in music halls before and realized that modern people may, because of great pressure, be more receptive to humorous and interesting performances. Therefore, she will combine the spirit of traditional Taiwanese opera while incorporating modern comedic plots so the audience can enjoy watching.