still a principal church nowadays. While the initial Protestant mission in Xuzhou was led by Alfred G. Jones of BMS, then American Southern Presbyterian Mission took over it in the 1890s. Culture Arts According to Xu Wei's Nanci Xulu (; [Treatises and Catalogue of Nanqu]), Yuyao Tone (), one of then major Southern Operas, was prevalent in Xuzhou during the Mid-Ming period. Shanxi merchants popularized Bangzi in Xuzhou afterwards, since it was introduced in the late Ming along the Great Cannel. Fused the local ballads in dialect, this localized version evolved into a new opera over the following centuries. The opera was designated as Jiangsu Bangzi () in 1962. The new municipal concert hall was opened in 2011, shaped like a myrtle flower. However, the various regular performances are unattainable. While the first local philharmonic orchestra is established in 2015. Media The first local newspaper entitled Hsing-hsü Daily () was started in 1913. Nowadays, Xuzhou's major newspaper is Xuzhou Daily (), which was founded in the end of 1948. It is owned and operated by the Xuzhou Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. The earliest local radio was broadcasting in 1934 for public education. Then Japanese military founded in 1938, after the city was captured. The National Army took over it after World War II. Broadcasting was resumed in 1949, operated by the CPC. In 1980, Xuzhou TV Station was established. A decade later, Xuzhou TV Tower was completed. Museums Xuzhou Museum Xuzhou Decree Museum Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses of The Han Dynasty Dialect As a subdialect of Central Plains Mandarin, Xuzhou dialect is spoken in the whole area, especially in the suburb and countryside. Cuisine Xuzhou cuisine is closely related to Shandong cuisine's Jinan-style. Xuzhou's most well known foods include bǎzi ròu (pork belly, and other items stewed in a thick broth), sha tang (), and various dog meat dishes. Another one of Xuzhou's famous dishes is di guo () style cooking which places ingredients with a spicy sauce in a deep black skillet and cooks little pieces of flatbread on the side or top. Common staples of di guo style cooking include chicken, fish, lamb, pork rib and eggplant. Fu Yang Festival () is a traditional festival celebrated in the city. It starts on Chufu () which is around mid-July and lasts for about one month. During the festival, people eat lamb meat and drink