An original Quju Opera show, Peaceful Year, is being premiered in Beijing by the Beijing Quju Opera Troupe. A series of activities are being held around the city to mark the 120th anniversary of Chinese writer Lao She's birth.

"Besides being an accomplished novelist and playwright, Lao She made great contribution to Quju Opera, which is the only local opera in Beijing," says Cui Di, the deputy director of Beijing Quju Opera Troupe.

Lao She took his own life at Taiping Lake in Beijing in 1966 during the "cultural revolution" (1966-76). His various works have inspired many generations and have been adapted into plays, movies and TV dramas.

In 1952, Lao She wrote a play, The Willow Well, and called it Quju, which was based on Beijing's local Quyi art form. Since the Beijing Quju Opera Troupe was founded in 1959, nearly 10 of his works have been adapted for the style.

"Like Lao She's work, Quju Opera pieces are known for their depictions of Beijing's local culture, especially the use of Beijing dialect and the portrayal of ordinary people," Cui adds.

The launch of the new show was announced at the Lao She Memorial Hall, a tranquil courtyard in Beijing. Lao She lived there with his wife, artist Hu Jieqing, and their four children, from 1950 to 1966. The courtyard, which Lao She bought in 1950, is preserved in the traditional Beijing style. It is tucked away in Fengfu hutong near the bustling Wangfujing shopping district in downtown Beijing. It opened to the public in 1998 as the Lao She Memorial Hall.