One of the books, entitled Without-makeup Kunqu Opera, is a collection of the seven avant-garde Kunqu Operas directed and performed by Ke.

Renowned Kunqu Opera artist Ke Jun launched two new books online on May 18 to mark the 19th anniversary of Kunqu Opera becoming a representative human oral and intangible cultural heritage item.

One of the books, entitled Without-makeup Kunqu Opera, is a collection of the seven avant-garde Kunqu Operas directed and performed by Ke. It includes commentary by Ke, scripts, and dialogues.

Wearing make up is a given for most opera actors. However, all the Kunqu Operas contained in Without-makeup Kunqu Opera were staged by Ke without makeup.

In the book, Ke focuses on what the stage means to actors, as well as the freedom to create at theaters. He explains the dialectical relations between tradition and innovation in a bid to create a spiritual space for artists.

Another book, A Shakespearean Handan Dream (English version), is based around the Kunqu Opera Handan Dream, which was jointly directed by Chinese and British artists in 2016.

In commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the death of two playwrights – Tang Xianzu and Shakespeare – Handan Dream tactically integrates Kunqu Opera with Shakespeare's plays and has been well-received by both Chinese and British audiences.

The opera is one of seven avant-garde Kunqu Operas collected in the Without-makeup Kunqu Opera and is one of the most internationally-renowned avant-garde Kunqu Operas.

The book includes more than 20 articles with stage photos about the origin of the Handan Dream, the performances and the stories behind the performances, as well as reviews and relevant articles from theatrical newspapers.

Renowned Kunqu Opera artist Ke Jun launches two new books online on May 18.

The book launch ceremony opened with an aria by Shi Xiaming, a renowned Kunqu Opera artist and deputy director of the Kunqu Opera Theater of Jiangsu Province. Afterwards, Ke and his apprentice Yang Yang performed a trial version of Night Escape, an avant-garde Kunqu Opera.

Xu Hai, vice president and editor-in-chief of PPM Inc, said at the launch ceremony that he was looking forward to Ke Jun's third book next year.

Chen Min, managing director of Jiangsu Phoenix Fine Arts Publishing Ltd, said that Without-makeup Kunqu Opera is more than just book, it is also a piece of art in itself and serves as a reflection and exploration by Ke of the humanities and arts from a philosophical perspective.

The book launch ceremony was sponsored by Jiangsu Phoenix Fine Arts Publishing Ltd, Modern Express, the Kunqu Opera Theater of Jiangsu Province, and the School of Arts of Nanjing University and co-organized by Sifang Art Museum.

Xu Hai, vice president and editor-in-chief of PPM Inc, expresses his expectation for Ke Jun's third book next year at the launch ceremony.