Ciming Opera piece "Tao Jin Cuo" (Photo courtesy of Fujian Provincial Art Museum)

Pingtan, China's second international tourism island after Hainan and a comprehensive pilot zone for cross-Straits integration, has gained recognition on the regional cultural stage with a traditional opera innovation. The Ciming Opera short play "Tao Jin Cuo" recently claimed the silver award at the 5th East China Modern Local Mini Opera Competition, standing out among 32 entries from six provinces and one municipality.

Organized jointly by the culture and tourism departments of Fujian, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi and Shandong, the biennial event is a prestigious regional theater showcase. "This is our first time participating in such a high-level competition," said Lin Ailin, the Pingtan-born playwright and musician who wrote and composed the piece.

Lin Ailin (second from the right) posing with some members of the "Tao Jjin Cuo" cast

Blending traditional Ciming Opera melodies with modern elements, "Tao Jin Cuo" depicts the life changes of Dan people—traditional boat dwellers—after moving ashore, presenting the real-life scenes and emotional entanglements in rural revitalization. Lin explained the creative philosophy: "We adapted (kept) the opera while preserving the charm of its traditional tunes, replacing puppet shows with live performances to tell new stories through ancient melodies."

Despite a simple stage setup featuring only LED videos and images as backgrounds, the play impressed judges and audiences through the three performers' compelling acting. With a career spanning over four decades, Lin has published (produced) nearly 1,000 works in nearly 100 media outlets including the state broadcaster CCTV and academic journals, winning 137 awards. His creations range from operas and musicals to microfilm scripts, many focusing on Pingtan's cultural heritage such as Keqiutou Culture and cross-Straits folk beliefs.

Some members of the "Tao Jin Cuo" cast during rehearsal

"We must share Pingtan's stories with pride on such important stages so that the whole country and the world can hear our voices," Lin emphasized, highlighting his cultural confidence. Facing the challenge of attracting young audiences—with most current viewers being elderly—he has promoted the "Stories of Pingtan Staged in Pingtan" initiative since 2010, producing dozens of local-themed works.

Now retired but still prolific, Lin works tirelessly with stacks of manuscripts on his desk. "I want to write as many stories about Pingtan as possible," he said. "Seeing Pingtan's theater reach the national stage is the most fulfilling part of my later years."