Guangyu Book Hall, formerly known as the guild organization for Suzhou Pingtan artists named ‘Guangyu Public Hall’, was established in 1776 (the 41st year of Qianlong’s reign). In 1912, it was renamed ‘Guangyu Society’, symbolizing ‘honor the past and enrich the future’. Today, the gate tower from the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, the 150th-anniversary memorial stone pillar, and the stele corridor showcasing the history of Pingtan are all well-preserved.
Guangyu Society has laid the foundation for elevating the status of Pingtan artists and the development of Pingtan art, being one of the earliest established, most participated in, longest-existing, and most influential guild organizations in the development of Pingtan art. Over the past two hundred years, Guangyu Society has produced numerous famous artists and various schools, earning the reputation of ‘a thousand miles of book sounds come from Guangyu’. Suzhou is a place of elegance. The local drama – Pingtan, is beautifully named ‘storytelling’. Actors who perform are called ‘storytelling gentlemen’, the performance places are called ‘book venues’, and the audience is the ‘book listeners’. These book-laden names bring forth a strong scholarly atmosphere and touching recitations. Unlike the ups and downs of Kunqu Opera, the 200-year-old Pingtan has been a lasting wonder, mostly due to its popularity with the people. Originating and popular in the Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai areas, it is sung in the Suzhou dialect, which is familiar to the public; the actors play and sing by themselves, making the form lively and delightful, becoming the favored pastime of the old Suzhou people. In the past, tea houses and book venues were like twins, with tea houses always accompanied by book venues. Tea houses opened in the morning, and book venues in the afternoon, creating a lively atmosphere. Nowadays, although Pingtan is not as popular as pop songs, in Suzhou, there are still many book listeners and some distinctive book venues are preserved. Sitting there is like being in the real streets and alleys, experiencing the emotional life of the people. The opening hours vary with different performances and times, and the specific business hours are subject to the performance schedule.Guangyu Book Hall
Guangyu Book Hall, formerly known as the guild organization for Suzhou Pingtan artists named ‘[...]
