On October 22, 2014, the 120th birth anniversary of Mei Lanfang, the great master of Jingju, will be celebrated.
The Chinese 60-year calendar cycle, which is based on the combinations of a cycle of ten heavenly stems and twelve earthly branches, makes the 60th birthday a very important event. Therefor the 120th anniversary is also of great significance. To commemorate the 120th anniversary of this famous Jingju master and to promote the art of Jingju itself, Mr. Li Enjie, president of Jingju Theater Company of Beijing, has initiated the “120th Anniversary of Mei Lanfang” project. Under the leadership of Mr. Mei Baojiu, son of Mei Lanfang, a world tour of Jingju with a group of top performers shall follow the footprints of Mei Lanfang.
The whole project, which started in June 2013, consists of 3 parts: Jingju performances in China, the US, Japan and Russia; exhibitions about Mei Lanfang (supported and presented by Mei Lanfang Memorial Museum); and several celebration ceremonies in the most important cities.