A decade has already passed since the Chinese Kun Opera became listed in the human oral and immaterial culture heritage catalogue of UNESCO.

A decade has already passed since the Chinese Kun Opera became listed in the human oral and immaterial culture heritage catalogue of UNESCO. On May 14th, the condensed version of "The Palace of Eternal Youth"- the masterpiece in traditional Kun Opera - was proudly presented by Shanghai Kun Opera Troupe at Beijing Chang'an Grand Theater. At the press conference prior to the performance, it was announced that the premiere of its full-length version would be held at Cologne Opera House in Germany. Wu Promotion is honored to be the organizer and promoter of this unprecedented 4-night event.

Last September during the 2010 Shanghai EXPO, Wu Promotion, in collaboration with Wenhui Xinmin United Press Group, the Shanghai Grand Theater and Shanghai City Dance Company, brought Richard Wagner's 15-hour-long masterpiece "Ring of the Nibelung" by Cologne Opera House to Shanghai. The tickets were entirely sold out for two cycles of four nights, and the performances were of great success. In less than a year's time, Cologne Opera House returns the warm hospitality received in Shanghai by inviting Shanghai Kun Opera Troupe to perform there the full-length version of "The Palace of Eternal Youth." Similar to the "Ring of the Nibelung," this traditional Kun Opera piece will also be presented in four consecutive nights from November 5th till 8th. This grand premiere would be the first time for traditional Chinese Kun Opera to make an appearance on German stage at such a large scale. The show will be gilded by an all-star lineup, which includes "the doyen of Guan Sheng" - Cai Zhengren, "the doyenne of Guimen Dan" - Zhang Jingxian, Liu Yilong, the nationally reputed performer for antic roles, as well as Fang Yang, the renowned artist for male character with a painted face.

As a returning visit after the huge success of "Ring of the Nibelung" during the Shanghai EXPO, Kun Opera's premiere in Cologne is of great importance in constructing a platform for the two countries to promote mutual understanding of each other's culture. For this reason, the show is acknowledged and supported by the Shanghai municipal government and the mayor Mr. Han Zheng, and it is brought into the framework of 2012 Chinese Culture Year in Germany as the prelude of a whole year's events to celebrate the establishment of diplomatic relations between Germany and China.