The Role of Local Government in the Preservation, Promotion and Transmission of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Anhui Province, China

The Huangmei Opera underwent a development crisis at the turn of the twenty-first century, affecting the performers, audiences and the troupes. To attract more audiences to appreciate this important local culture, government organizations, state institutions, performers and troupes made a series of reforms, adaptations, and innovations, which brought about the effective preservation and transmission of Huangmei. The local municipal and provincial governments were integral to this process. This investigation gathered qualitative data from observations and interviews in Anqing, the center of Huangmei development. Although governments have been accused of increasing inequalities and assimilating traditional culture under the guise of conservation, results from this investigation show that this particular form of intangible heritage has significantly benefited from intervention and support.