Shadow puppetry casts a spell globally
Cultural fusion breathes new life into ancient art form
By Zhu Xingxin in Taiyuan and Chen Liang |
China Daily |
Updated: 2025-10-10 09:10
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"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."
