While approving photographic sets, we ran into a week of Mr. Xiong Jun called ‘traditional opera actor,’ that took us behind the scenes of Chinese opera. His photographs of the opera actors during preparation before entering the stage left us fascinated and completely in awe, as we were able to experience an unknown world only a chosen few can normally enter. The photographs left us wanting to know more about this type of art and due to the language barrier between us and Mr. Xiong Jun, we decided to explore this world, find further information ourselves and finally share it with you in the form of reportage. We thank Mr. Xiong Jun for such inspiration and fascinating photographs.

„1 minute on stage equals 10 years behind the scenes.“

Even though opera as art is mainly considered as part of western civilization, a longstanding tradition can be found in the history of the eastern continent as well, specifically in China.

This country can be proud of its more than three hundred types of traditional Chinese theatre: Kunqu, Xiang Ju, Beijing opera, Shaoxing opera, Henan, Pu Ju, Sichuan opera, Tibet opera, pantomime, Marionette Theater, two man shows, and so on. Beijing opera („ťing-tü“ or „ťing-si“) is the most famous and, compared to local Chinese operas that are usually performed in the local dialect, uses the national dialect and is surely the most sought out form of opera in the country.

Beijing opera differs from the classical European in many different aspects, one being it’s dramatically higher mental demand which is complemented by an equally difficult physical aspect. No wonder actors prepare for such tough moments from a tender age. Beijing opera combines singing, dancing, pantomime and martial arts; it is claimed that one minute on stage equals ten years behind the scenes.

Two hundred years worth of history is carved into the Beijing opera but it wouldn’t exist without the initial wishes of the imperial palace in the Xuanwu district, under the rule of the Qing dynasty, which requested the presence of four opera choirs from the Anhui province. Thanks to this public success, the choirs remained in the imperial court. They looked for inspiration from operas from Kunqu, Yiyang, Hanju and Luantan and during half a century of combining and adding elements of these operas, the Beijing Opera developed and came into being.

As previously mentioned, Beijing opera is the most popular in China and the richest in actors, spectators and repertoire.

„Every pattern and color reflects the nature of a given character and the whole spectrum of human emotions.“

One of the main and perhaps most important elements of Beijing opera, and Chinese opera altogether, is make-up. This art tends to be very expressive and full of designs and all sorts of patterns. Its importance lies in the fact that every pattern and color reflects the nature of a given character and the whole spectrum of human emotions. Red for instance represents loyalty to the royal court and nobility and that is why it is often used with generals. Black stands for honesty and rightness while white, on the other hand, describes cunning and falsity.

The spreading of colors alone is based on four methods – rubbing, sketching, overlap and completion. Rubbing comes first; color is spread by fingers across the whole face with emphasis on the eyebrows, eyes and veins. Then, with the help of a brush, a sketch of the basic facial pattern is made with greased-up color. The next step consists of the face being covered with a layer of white, again with the use of a brush, focusing on the forehead and eyebrows. Completion comes as a last phase during which non-symmetric patterns are colored in. Based on artistic intent, either all four methods are used, or at times, one or two of the methods are left out. Using silver and gold for instance signals the presence of an immortal or supernatural being.
Over a period of time, Beijing opera gave birth to 6 basic types of characters – an elderly man (lao-sheng), a younger man (siao-sheng), a woman (tan), an old lady (lao-tan), a painted face (ťing) and a clown (chou). In order to visualize how such characters receive their make-up, let us depict the process of for example a woman and the elderly man. A woman represents middle-aged and young females. The make-up of the actors has multiple layers; cheeks are painted red to evoke contrast with white powder on the forehead, nose and jaws. Eyes and eye-brows are emphasized and the lips glare with an expressive red. As for the elderly man, this character represents middle-aged males. The make-up is softer and, according to age, black, grey or white is added to the color of facial hair. In addition, a not so expressive and decent costume is used.

Mei Lanfang is regarded as one of the most significant and outstanding actors of Beijing opera. He started studying opera when he was eight and at an early age of eleven, he was already present on stage. He is the most famous impersonator of female roles in the 20th century and is acknowledged and praised for promoting Beijing opera in Japan, the United States and Russia.

„A glimpse of hope for tradition has appeared in the form of Li Yu Gang, a young man whose life story is close to a fairy tale.“

In recent years, the era of men playing all roles including female ones is almost over. The Era of Mei Lanfang is slowly fading away and female roles are frequently assumed by women. However, a glimpse of hope for tradition has appeared in the form of Li Yu Gang, a young man whose life story is close to a fairy tale. Despite his talent being obvious from his early years, poverty and his family situation prevented him from studying, so he was forced to travel to the capital city of Jilin province and earn a living as a waiter in a nightclub. One day an accident, in the form of a female singer being sick, changed his life. Li Yu Gang offered to step in and finish the show instead of the ill actress. He was a huge success, basically stunning the audience, which broke out into long-lasting applause. His enormous talent was soon know throughout the land, and he was finally able to live his dream and start studying Beijing opera, specializing in female roles. The tradition of the opera is therefore kept alive for some time; however, the desire of the young generation in China to undergo the hardship of studying is quickly diminishing.

Weeks of Xiong Jun

Juraj Sucharda, Businessperson, Slovakia

Before anything else, I need to make a confession. I think I may be a bit too emotional; I love children, I admire the unspoiled and pure world of children along with their little joys, sorrows and ’issues’. I’m glad I can be a part of it from time to time, and take a rest from the often cruel, disturbed and chaotic world of adults. When Jura Sucharda contacted me about the possibility of publishing a report called ‚Standing in Front of the Gate to Heaven’, I had mixed feelings. I wasn’t really sure if this issue is appropriate, or whether it belongs in the Week of Life sphere. Nevertheless, I accepted in advance. Then I saw the first photo from the snapshots Jura sent me, where a human hand is holding the tiny hand of a baby, who, instead of enjoying the delights of life, has to experience the first struggle for life. It hasn’t even begun and it can already be at its very own tragic end. This photo deeply touched my heart, and I immediately realized that this report should have its own place on the Week of Life website. The included text I read much later was of no less importance, however the initial glance at the photo simply showed the power of photography and its emotional impact on the inner soul of an individual. All of this combined played an important role in the decision making process. Adolf Zika

Neonatology, a subdiscipline of pediatrics, offers medical treatment to neonates, the diseased and the premature ones.

I stood facing the gate to heaven… Someone entered it, someone else left it to descend to the Earth. I am the father of two daughters. Of two beautiful and healthy girls. I’m familiar with the far caused by fever, and even though the nights I have stayed awake might be counted on the fingers of my hands, suddenly I perceive life in a different way. I hold out my hand to a doctor – God’s right hand. In his eyes I can see incredible energy and determination. I enter the Department of Neonatology with him. As he starts his work, the chief of the department, Doctor Krcho who has been working in this field since 1989, also begins his narration about people, their worries, opportunities, about the hardship and complexity of the whole system.

There are 10 doctors and 38 nurses at both departments that work in four shifts. Each of them is able to accommodate between 20 to 24 babies in danger of dying. The fight for their lives starts after their arrival and a complex check-up. The first steps, taken shortly after, will be decisive not only in the development of his or her condition, but will also influence possible long-lasting consequences. However, many parents do not realize what a critical state their child is in, such as for example with severe brain damage. Almost always, they expect the doctors to perform a miracle and the possible consequences, which will affect not only the child’s life but also theirs, would not even come to their mind. Just to think of such a situation makes my flesh crawl and I have no idea how I would react were I in their place…
The stay for premature and diseased neonates ranges between two weeks and four months, depending on various factors. A child with a weight over 2,000 grams (if its condition allows it) can be taken home… But the medical care doesn’t cease and its condition is under continuous control by specialized consultories, oculists, orthopedists, cardiologists, neurologues and nephrologists… However the most important steps are taken at the Department of Neonatology…

„I believe to witness a miracle, when I see a baby born in its 24th week – whose stay in this world is a great message.“

Premature birth can be caused not only by a too high or too low age of the mother, but also women who undergo artificial insemination are in danger, for this method allows multiple pregnancies. Furthermore, alcohol, cigarettes and an incorrect regime cause premature birth, and sometimes there can also be psychological factors, diabetes, viral infection or womb diseases that increase the danger. It might sound like a paradox, but the accomplishments of present-day medicine are also a cause of such problems, for they allow pregnancy in cases which, a few years ago, would be impossible to achieve.

Doctor Krcho approaches a baby girl only a few hours old, whose mother is 16 years old. I feel so impressed while I look at that little creature, that even though she’s no bigger than my hands, she has such strength to fight for her life. I keep track of the personnel’s teamwork. They are so calm and balanced, so strong… Everything has its precise rules and procedures. I believe to witness a miracle, when I see a baby born in its 24th week – whose stay in this world is a great message. „The heart’s gettin’ better, the pressure’s stabilized, the color’s coming back…“ They cut off the umbilical cord and introduce two catheters that will supplement the tiny body with the medicaments and nutrition that it needs… The doctor stands up and says: „Ok, that’s it, we’re done.“ And I believe I saw something that resembled a smile. But this is only the beginning. Many complications may arise, such as various infections, bacterial sepsis or brain hemorrhage. Doctor Krcho continues with his description of the whole process. I can see nurses changing giant nappies, controlling all of the appliances. I can see the mothers holding their children with love, even despite all the tubes. Who knows what those little ones are thinking about… And what about their mothers?!? Mommies that are, after a tough fight, finally allowed to caress their sweethearts. I think of their fathers. I remember the birth of my daughters, the fear I felt seemed unbearable to me, but in comparison to what they have to be going through I think they deserve a Nobel Prize for courage. They have to support the woman – the mother, and cannot fail, they have to trust doctors and believe in their children… And not lose their mind.

Appliances, instruments, tubes, strict norms, procedures… and among it beautiful slippers for these little defenceless babies hand-made by the nurses. I get to know about the lack of money, apparatuses, about the need of people with ardour and an opened heart. I hear about tough moments and impossible decisions in which the babies are divided into those, that will have the chance to take the shot in this life, and those, that will increase the number of angels in the heaven.

„The hands – like God´s tools, they help, save, caress, work…“

The hands – like God´s tools, they help, save, caress, work.. they are skilful, necessary and perfectly invented. The hands of doctors and nurses look so gentle even though so huge while caressing the little head. Their hands are golden. With the consent of doctor Krcho and the parents, we would like to explain you the importance of a digital camera, that in several cases was the only mean of connection between the mother and her child… After a very complicated birth the mother died. However, thanks to the small camera, that is usually used for documentation or quick (and many times only virtual) communication with other experts, the mother was able to see her little baby before she breathed her last.

The deparment of neonatology is an important part of the hospital. However, not many parents know about it unless they had been there with their child. Therefore, I would like to introduce you to this world, to offer you the chance to get to know their hands, their work, possibilities, shortages… But the most important thing I want to show is the strenght of these children, their desire for life, their courage to fight and to win this battle.

When I ask doctor Krcho whether he feels like God when he saves a life in case where others would give in, he responds with a serious face: „ No, I don´t. I feel that way when we decide that the chance of life is gone and the appliance therefore can be switched off.“

Weeks of Juraj Sucharda