A story of storytelling

Liu Lanfang, a veteran artist of pingshu, performs at the recent 2020 National Intangible Cultural Heritage Quyi Week in Ningbo, Zhejiang province. CHINA DAILY

China's traditional storytelling genres are so diverse that the umbrella term quyi－literally, the meaning of art and songs－was created to encompass them.

Today, 127 of China's 1,372 national-level intangible cultural heritage projects are categorized as quyi.

These were spotlighted at the 2020 National Intangible Cultural Heritage Quyi Week in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, from Oct 9 to 14.

The event's third edition featured online and offline performances, forums and seminars.

The festival aims to integrate the traditional art forms into everyday modern life.

One approach is by organizing art-troupe performances in such venues as communities, schools and scenic spots.

Ningbo is home to three national-level quyi genres, including the 300-year-old Siming nanci. Siming is a famous mountain in Ningbo that's often used in references to the city. Nanci is a form of ballad that's also found in other parts of the country.