Bringing drama education to the children of Liangshan 将戏剧教育带给凉山的孩子们
The recent weekend felt like a long-anticipated journey. Despite having envisioned it on numerous occasions, its actual occurrence was unexpected. Upon my return from Greece to embark on a career in theatre education, my aspiration was to locate a village in Sichuan conducive to wholehearted theatrical engagement, fostering the art form and revitalizing it through creative expression.
过去的周末仿佛是一场想过很久的旅程。很多次想过，没想到就这样发生了。在从希腊回国开始从事戏剧教育的时候，我就想在四川找一个村子，在那里用心做戏剧，在这个村子孕育戏剧，也通过戏剧让这个村子获得新的活力。
但是在回来之后这几年，一直在忙于学校的戏剧课程建设和教学，再加上对成都之外的乡村地区不了解，所以这个想法在内心深处渐渐沉寂。
During the final day of the previous year's drama education seminar, as farewells were being exchanged, I was approached by Luya, a post-90s individual holding a master's degree in art from Peking University. Luya, who has dedicated herself to supporting rural revitalization in Liangshan through Yi ethnic intangible cultural heritage initiatives, presented me with Yi embroidery pieces crafted by artisans from Xiaogu Village. She articulated her reflections and endeavors, expressing a desire for me to introduce drama education to the local community in Liangshan, with a particular emphasis on engaging children.
在去年举办的戏剧教育研讨会最后一天大家告别的时候，一个女孩来找我聊。她叫卢亚，北京大学艺术硕士，90后，回到了凉山努力通过彝族非遗乡创来支持乡村振兴。她拿出当地呷古村绣娘们的彝绣产品给我看，讲述她的想法和经历。她希望我能去凉山为当地带去戏剧教育，尤其为当地的儿童带去戏剧。
It was just a brief conversation at the time, but the memory has stayed with me. In the following months, amidst our academic commitments, we traveled to Beijing, Iceland, and Greece. Early in the semester, I received a proposal from Luya, which I was unable to respond to promptly due to a busy schedule. After some delay, I reached out to her to discuss moving forward. She promptly scheduled a meeting to plan a trip to Liangshan and began coordinating with local village leaders.
当时只是那么短短聊了一会儿，我心里也一直记着这个事。之后我们继续忙学校的事，去了北京、冰岛和希腊。开学的时候我收到了卢亚发来的方案，但是由于开学那段时间超级忙，所以一直没有能回复她。稍微缓一些的时候，我跟她联系，看看怎样推进这件事。她很雷厉风行地跟我约好了去凉山的日期，并且去约当地的村镇领导，开始安排我这趟去凉山的行程。
We selected a weekend when I was free from university lectures, and I embarked on a train journey to Liangshan with a small team. The journey from South Station to Viet Sai Station took two and a half hours. A car sent by the Puxiong town government picked us up at Yuexi Station, and we reached Puxiong Town in 40 minutes. In terms of transportation, traveling from Chengdu to the west remains convenient with direct high-speed rail connections. The scenic route from Koshi to Puxiong reminded me of driving through mountains in Greece.
选了一个我不在大学讲课的周末，我带上了团队的小危一起踏上了去凉山的火车。从火车南站出发，经过两个半小时到达越西站。普雄镇镇政府派车到越西站接我们，经过四十分钟到达普雄镇。从交通来说，成都到越西还是比较方便的，高铁直达。从越西到普雄一路上的风景也很不错，让我想起了在希腊驾车穿过山区时的时光。
Puxiong's lower temperature compared to Chengdu was evident as we encountered lingering snow along the roads. The entrance to Puxiong via the Puxiong Bridge left a lasting impression on me. The town, nestled at the mountain's base, offered a panoramic view.
普雄比成都温度要低一些，路上还能看到尚未化完的雪。经过普雄大桥进入普雄那段路我印象很深，这是一个在大山脚下的小镇，眼前的景象让人心胸开阔。
In Puxiong Township, we were accompanied by the National People's Congress (NPC) delegate Wood to explore various areas, including the circular Hanis living buildings, which I found ideal for a theater. We also visited the town's middle and primary schools and attended a plow festival.
在普雄镇政府，镇人大木洛依布主席陪同我们探访普雄镇的几个区域，包括举办尝新米节的圆形建筑，那里我觉得特别适合作为剧场，还去了镇上的中学和民族小学，以及举办开耕节的梯田。
Subsequently, we visited GAGU, an ancient village recently featured on CCTV. There, we met Ahou Requ, the deputy village committee secretary, who warmly guided us through the Yi embroidery workshop and Luya's workshop, where she collaborated with Yi embroidery artisans.
最后我们到了呷古村，这个村子最近刚刚上了央视。我们在呷古村村委会见到了村委副书记阿候热曲，他热情地陪我们去看了彝绣工坊。然后我们又去了卢亚在呷古村的工坊，她在这里带着彝族的绣娘们努力创业。
We observed the construction of a hotel and stayed in one of the completed homestay facilities with a small courtyard. Luxasia, below a piece of land, inquired about the possibility of establishing a theater, proposing an amphitheater in the field where cows grazed and children played.
我们看到了正在建造中的酒店，住在了已经完工的四座民宿之一的小院里，卢亚指着下面的一片田地问我，那里可以做成剧场吗？我当时一愣，入眼处是几只牛在吃草和几个娃娃在田里玩儿，反应过来觉得还真是不错的主意，田野里的露天剧场，四面八方都可以是观众席。
The next morning, Secretary Requ escorted us to the train station. Puxiong, an important stop on the Chengdu-Kunming Railway, is renowned for its "slow train," attracting visitors interested in this unique experience. Secretary Requ led us to the former railway bureau dormitories, now abandoned and slated for transformation into a cultural district.
第二天一大早，热曲书记来接我们去看火车。普雄是成昆铁路上重要的一站，现在也因“慢火车”而闻名。很多人来到这里打卡慢火车，普雄镇也希望能够好好打造铁路文化。跟着热曲书记我们来到曾经的铁路局宿舍，这些房子原本已经废弃了，后来山上的百姓下来住了进去，接下来镇上计划把这里打造成文化区。
As we explored the area, including abandoned tracks, Secretary Requ sought my input on the development plans, to which I shared my thoughts. Secretary Requ's dedication to Xiagu Village's development was palpable, given the abundant resources available.
我们走了一段路，来到了轨道，有一段轨道已经废弃。热曲书记问我的对这里开发建设的意见，我也说了一些自己的想法。能感觉到热曲书记对建设呷古村的热情和用心，这里也确实有着很丰富的资源。
Upon reaching Torch Square in the town center, we observed numerous students gathering, indicative of Puxiong's significant educational infrastructure comprising four primary schools and a junior high school.
当我们来到镇中心的火把广场，远远看到已经有不少学生到了广场上。普雄镇有四所小学和一所初中，对于一个镇来说学校数量已经相当多，这里每家每户都有不少孩子，所以读书的孩子很多。
In the square, we conducted a drama education workshop for over 20 children, underscoring the town's commitment to cultural enrichment and education.
我们在广场上的非遗剧场里将有一堂戏剧教育体验课和戏剧教育工作坊，校长老师们带着孩子们在非遗剧场里入座，二十多个孩子到舞台上等待戏剧课的开始。
Secretary Chen Guangping of Puxiong Town facilitated the introduction of myself and Xiao Wei to the principal, teachers, and students. I provided an overview of Tianfu No.7 High School's drama education program and the forthcoming experiential classes and workshops. Subsequently, Xiao Wei conducted a drama class inspired by the narrative of the Land of the Supernatural from the *Classic of Mountains and Seas*. Xiao Wei initiated the session with foundational drama exercises to ease the children into the appropriate mindset.
普雄镇党委陈光平书记向校长老师和学生们介绍了我和小危，我也向大家介绍了天府七中的戏剧教育以及接下来的体验课和工作坊。然后小危带着孩子们开始了戏剧课。这堂戏剧课以《山海经》里异人国的故事为素材，小危带着孩子们从基础的戏剧游戏开始，让孩子们逐渐进入戏剧课的状态。这是孩子们第一次上戏剧课，之前或许对戏剧一无所知，但是在课堂上他们自然而然地进入了戏剧。
Despite their unfamiliarity with drama education, the children engaged wholeheartedly, displaying remarkable focus, physicality, imagination, participation, creativity, and critical thinking throughout the 80-minute class. Secretary Chen noted his astonishment at the children's responses surpassing expectations when prompted by Teacher Xiao Wei's inquiries.
课堂逐步推进，80分钟里孩子们非常专注，他们的肢体、想象、参与、创造、思考都可圈可点，让我印象很深。陈书记也说，当小危老师在提问的时候，他自己心里也在想自己会怎么回答，但每次孩子们的回答都大大超出他的想象。
The class garnered significant acclaim, with the children vocally expressing their enthusiasm for drama instruction, despite it being their inaugural exposure to such activities. Secretary Chen expressed profound emotion, anticipating transformative impacts on the children following this unique experience, contemplating their future development over the next decade or two.
大家对这堂课给出了高度的评价，孩子们也大声说喜欢戏剧课。尽管只有第一次接触，但他们已经喜欢上了戏剧。后来陈书记说，他特别感动，他相信今天参加了这堂课的孩子们，回去之后肯定会因此而有所改变，他想记下这些孩子，过十年二十年之后，再去看看他们的样子。一个孩子经历过这样难得的经历，或许会对他/她的一生产生影响。
The children's fervor for the class was palpable during the workshop segment, as evidenced by their active participation and feedback.
在工作坊环节，我在与孩子们的交流中也能感觉到他们对这堂课的喜爱，他们积极地对我的问题给予反馈，我很享受与他们的交流。
The unwavering dedication of local village officials to drama education and their commitment to the welfare of the community's youth resonated deeply with me. This interaction provided valuable insights into grassroots governance, particularly in challenging environments like Liangshan, where numerous underprivileged children confront educational obstacles due to parental absence. The local government's endorsement of drama education reflects a strategic effort to instigate positive change for these vulnerable children.
当地村镇干部们对戏剧教育的理解和支持、对当地儿童的爱和努力让我印象非常深刻。我很少与基层干部有过接触，这次真的是深入了解了他们的工作。在凉山的基层工作开展殊为不易，当地留守儿童很多，因为父母不在身边就会造成很多教育问题。这也是当地政府希望戏剧教育落地的主要原因，期望戏剧教育能为当地的孩子们带来一些改变。
This visit to Liangshan signifies the inaugural phase of a prolonged endeavor, symbolizing a deliberate stride forward. Let us embrace the transformative power of drama as we embark on this journey, blooming with promise.
这次的凉山之行只是千里之行的第一步，想过很久，终于走出了一步。接下来继续往前走，让戏剧为我们铺就落满鲜花的路。