The ongoing Huangmei Opera Festival in East China's Anqing City has got the local people re-examining the traditional art. Huangmei Opera is an inseparable part of their daily lives to the extent that its influence is reflected in the local dialect and lifestyle. This is a good sign as it means it's unlikely to disappear, but to preserve and develop it in a modern society is still an arduous task.

At the opening gala of this year's festival, a piece titled "Morning Exercises" staged by students from the Anhui Huangmei Opera School won big applause. These young people represent the hope of passing on the traditional art to future generations.

Their real life, however, is not that glamorous. As traditional opera faces increasing competition from modern entertainment, extra hard work is the only way to stand out.

These young girls are newcomers here. But they already have the ambition to become top-notch performers one day. And this drummer hopes he can play Huangmei Opera on the drums. His suggestion may be a little unrealistic for the time being, as most graduates still have to start with the safer classic pieces, which the locals seem to prefer anyway.

There are also Huangmei Opera buffs who are trying hard to use the traditional art form to address contemporary topics. The Huangmei Club in Rongsheng Community is one of many organizations of its kind in Anqing. The members here are rehearsing a piece on SARS prevention with the help of composer Han Xiaolong. They're also trying to adapt it into a dance for a community party.

Students at a local primary school also joined in this year's festival celebrations. They worked out a dance drama called Three Monks, with the help of teachers and professional composers. The fresh but intriguing performance came as no surprise as Huangmei Opera competitions are held annually in Anqing to keep youngsters well-informed and trained in the local art.