How Can Intangible Cultural Heritage Gain New Vitality: A Study on the Activation Path of Nanjü from the Perspective of Interaction, Exchange, and Integration

Abstract

As a local opera genre in southwestern Hubei that integrates multiple vocal styles, Nanjü has been inscribed on China’s national list of intangible cultural heritage. Once on the verge of extinction due to transmission crises, it has regained vitality in recent years under the guiding concept of “creative transformation and innovative development.” From the perspective of “interaction, exchange, and integration,” this paper systematically examines the modernization path of Nanjü through three dimensions: cultural narrative, performance space, and innovative practice. The study finds that: first, its lyrics deeply integrate Confucian ethics with Tujia culture, forming a cultural tapestry of “harmony in diversity”; second, its performance spaces have shifted from traditional opera stages to modern public venues, reshaping a virtuous cycle of cultural dissemination and economic benefits; finally, innovative works represented by Xilankapu and Bense verify that activating intangible heritage elements and introducing technological narratives make the “Two Innovations” principle an effective path for the living inheritance of Nanjü. The experience of Nanjü provides valuable insights for the contemporary protection and development of similar intangible cultural heritage.