In a charming crossover of intellect and artistry, a growing community of scientists and students at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) in Hefei, capital city of Chinese eastern Anhui province, is championing an unexpected passion: traditional Chinese opera, according to a press release issued here on Wednesday by The China Center for International Communication Development (CCICD)

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The trend came into focus when Yuan Lanfeng, a renowned science communicator and faculty member at USTC, was spotted at the Hefei Grand Theatre, eagerly awaiting a performance of the classic Peking opera The Romance of the West Chamber with his wife. Far from his usual domain of quantum physics and technology lectures, Yuan revealed himself to be a devoted opera aficionado.

Yuan Lanfeng, a renowned science communicator and faculty member at USTC, was spotted at the Hefei Grand Theatre

The connection between scientific rigor and artistic appreciation, though seemingly uncommon, runs deep. As Yuan noted, science tackles “the immensely difficult,” demanding perseverance and probing inquiry, while opera represents “the supremely elegant,” embodying cultural depth and aesthetic refinement, CCICD said in the press release.

The sentiment echoes beyond campus. Wang Xiaomo, revered as the “father of China’s early warning aircraft,” once drew a parallel between radar research and Peking opera, noting both require creativity within established frameworks. It seems minds accustomed to complex research are particularly attuned to the artistic beauty within opera’s disciplined forms.

As the precision of the lab converges with the poetic artistry of the stage, Hefei is cultivating a sophisticated urban ecosystem—one that champions hardcore scientific exploration while nurturing a soft, appreciative heart for tradition.

A series of activities named as “Operas in Anhui, Shining Hefei”, officially commenced in Hefei since this September 28, is a grand celebration to mark the 235th anniversary of the historic "Hui Troupes Entering Beijing", which was widely regarded as the origin event of Peking Opera.

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