京剧被称为中国的国粹(national opera), 起源于 18 世纪晚期，是将音乐、舞蹈、艺术和杂技(acrobatics)综合于一体的戏曲。在中国，京剧是所有戏曲中最有影响力和代表性的戏曲。中国的京剧有着 200 多年的历史，是中国的名族瑰宝。京剧有着丰富的剧目(repertoire)、众多的表演艺术家和大批的观众，在中国有着其他戏曲无法匹及的深远影响。京剧剧目主要讲述前朝传说故事，其中包括古代重要的历史事件以及王侯将相、才子佳人的故事，讲述从尧、舜、禹，春秋战国群雄并起的历史时期到秦、汉、隋、唐、宋、元、明、清等多朝代的历史故事。
Known as China’s national opera, Beijing Opera, which originated in the late 18th century, is a synthesis of music, dance, art and acrobatics. It is the most influential and representative of all operas in China. Beijing Opera is a national treasure with a history of more than 200 years. Owing to its richness of repertoire, great number of artists of performance and of audiences, Beijing Opera has profound influence, which no other opera in China can rival. The repertoire of Beijing Opera is mainly engaged in fairy tales of preceding dynasties, important historical events, emperors, ministers and generals, geniuses and great beauties, from Yao, Shun, Yu, the Spring and Autumn Period, the Warring States Period to the dynasties of Qin, Han, Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing.
元宵节
在中国，元宵节在农历元月十五这一天庆祝，标志着新年庆祝活动的结束。关于元宵节的来历说法不一。有一个传说是这样讲的：一些村名射杀了一只仙鹤，这激怒了天庭玉帝(Jade Emperor)。于是，他命令天兵在农历十五这一天火烧村长。他的女儿把这个计划告知了村民。一位智者建议每家每户都在房子周围挂上红灯笼，在街上燃放鞭炮，制造村里着火的景象。在这一天，玉帝看到村子已经是一片火海，决定不去烧毁村庄了。从那一天开始，人们悬挂灯笼、放鞭炮和焰火来庆祝这个节日。
The Lantern Festival in China is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunar calendar, marking the last day of the New Year celebration. There are different beliefs of its origin. One legend tells that a crane from heaven was shot dead by some villagers, which angered the Jade Emperor in heaven. So, he ordered his troops to set fire to the village on the fifteenth lunar day. His daughter warned the villagers of her father’s plan. A wise man suggested that every family should hang red lanterns around their houses and exploding firecrackers in the streets to give the village the appearance of being on fire. On the very day, the Jade Emperor saw that the village was already ablaze and decided not to burn it down. From that day on, people celebrate the festival by hanging lanterns and exploding firecrackers and firework.
