On the evening of September 25, 2025, Duke Kunshan University (DKU) Library and the Office of Student Experience hosted the Suzhou Pingtan Troupe for its first performance on campus, presenting “Moonlit Sounds: An Evening of Suzhou Pingtan” at the CCT Theater. The event, held under the bright autumn moon and ahead of China’s National Day, attracted hundreds of attendees from both the DKU community and the local public, offering a vivid introduction to the rich traditions of Jiangnan culture.
The evening opened with welcome remarks by Mengjie Zou, University Librarian at DKU. Students from Professor Wenting Ji’s course Reading Suzhou Through Literature and History served as bilingual hosts, introducing each program and guiding the audience through the performance.
To ensure accessibility for a diverse audience, Professor Ji, Assistant Professor of Chinese Language at DKU, worked with her students to prepare detailed program notes and subtitles in both Chinese and English. Their efforts enabled both Chinese and international students to engage deeply with the history, lyrics, and artistry of pingtan, reflecting DKU’s commitment to cultural education and cross-cultural understanding.
The program featured a curated selection of classics, including Night Mooring at Maple Bridge, Legend of the White Snake: Enjoying the Mid-autumn Festival, and Three Smiles: Rendezvous at the Plum Pavilion. Renowned artists Chen Feng, Xie Ying, Liu Mingjie, and Li Wenqi delivered outstanding performances that captivated the audience. The evening concluded with an encore of The Plum and the Bamboo, greeted by sustained applause. The event also drew media attention, with coverage from outlets including China News Service, Kunshan Rong Media, and so forth.
This collaboration between DKU and the Suzhou Pingtan Troupe represents an important step in introducing regional cultural heritage to a global audience. Both sides expressed interest in future initiatives to integrate Suzhou pingtan more fully into campus life and academic programs, further promoting Chinese traditional culture within an international educational context.
Photo: Zexi Wang
