Cultural fusion breathes new life into ancient art form

Hou Jianchuan (center) and two of his colleagues perform a traditional production at the shadow puppetry theater in Xiaoyi. ZHU XINGXIN/CHINA DAILY

As one of China's oldest theatrical forms, shadow puppetry boasts a history spanning over 2,200 years. In 2011, Chinese shadow puppetry was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, with Xiaoyi city in Shanxi province recognized as a vital birthplace.

Hou checks his shadow puppets at his studio in Xiaoyi. ZHU XINGXIN/CHINA DAILY

"The Xiaoyi shadow puppetry is one of the cultural treasures of the Chinese people," said Hou Jianchuan, a 64-year-old practitioner from Xiaoyi. "I am dedicated to preserving and innovating this ancient art form."

Born into a farming family steeped in the local tradition, Hou is breathing new life into this ancient art. "Growing up immersed in the world of shadow puppetry, listening to the stories and watching the performances, the cultural heritage became deeply ingrained in my being," he said. "My first encounter with shadow puppetry at a temple fair as a child left me utterly captivated."

A visitor experiences performing shadow puppets in Xiaoyi city, Shanxi province. ZHU XINGXIN/CHINA DAILY

Chinese shadow puppetry utilizes light to project silhouette figures onto a screen, creating a captivating theatrical experience. By the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), the art form had spread to West Asia and Europe, bringing joy and artistic appreciation to audiences worldwide.

To elevate the visibility and impact of Xiaoyi shadow puppetry, Hou and his colleagues have undertaken multiple performance tours in the United States, the Netherlands, and elsewhere, showcasing the allure of Chinese shadow puppetry on the global stage.

Hou (right) and a colleague operate a shadow puppet together during a show. ZHU XINGXIN/CHINA DAILY

"During our performances in Europe and the US, we incorporated percussion and integrated melodies from (Chinese movie) Red Sorghum, and classical music from (musical) Romeo and Juliet into traditional productions like Pigsy Marries a Bride to bridge language barriers and enable Western audiences to connect with the essence of Chinese shadow puppetry through familiar music," Hou said. "This cultural fusion has been widely lauded and has emerged as a highlight of cross-cultural exchange."

With the establishment of the Xiaoyi Shadow Puppetry Museum and the inclusion of this art form in local schools' extracurricular programs, shadow puppetry has been gaining popularity in the area.

Contact the writers at zhuxingxin@chinadaily.com.cn

Members of a shadow puppetry troupe prepare to start a show at a theater in Xiaoyi. ZHU XINGXIN/CHINA DAILY 

A painting of Huanglong Zhenren (center), a deity in Taoism who is believed to be the creator of shadow puppetry in China, decorates the wall of an artist's home in Xiaoyi. ZHU XINGXIN/CHINA DAILY 

Hou displays traditional Xiaoyi shadow puppets at his studio. ZHU XINGXIN/CHINA DAILY 

A shadow puppetry artist teaches children to play with puppets. ZHU XINGXIN/CHINA DAILY 

The audience watches a show at a shadow puppetry theater in Xiaoyi. ZHU XINGXIN/CHINA DAILY 

Hou observes and carves the head of a shadow puppet. ZHU XINGXIN/CHINA DAILY