Award-winning Quanzhou string puppetry to grace Chinese Culture Festival 2025 in September with timeless charm of ancient art (with photos)
******************************************************************************************
Quanzhou string puppetry, historically known as "hanging silk puppet", has a long tradition that dates to the Qin and Han dynasties. It was introduced to Fujian by migrants coming from the central plain between the Jin and Tang periods. It has had a repertory of over 700 traditional plays and a unique musical genre called "kuilei diao" (or puppet tune, played on ancient instruments such as foot-pressed drums, bell-shaped gongs with corresponding performance techniques), comprising more than 300 set tunes. The art form has developed sophisticated string manipulation skills and unique puppet-head carving, figure modelling and production techniques. Its repertoire retains numerous Minnan folk customs and the dialect. It was included on the first list of Intangible Cultural Heritage at the National Level in 2006, followed by its inscription on UNESCO's Register of Good Safeguarding Practices of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2012.
"Ancient Chinese Puppetry with Timeless Charm", which won the prestigious 10th Wenhua Award in 2002, has captivated audiences across over 80 countries and regions on five continents. This diverse repertoire brings to life the rich heritage of Quanzhou string puppetry through a selection of timeless classics: "Lantern Festival Delight" recreates the vibrant Minnan folk tradition of "Cai Jie" (street parades) during Quanzhou's Lantern Festival, featuring lively folk dance elements such as "chest slapping," "jumping drums" and the lion dance, making it a perennial favourite; "The Drunken Royal Concubine" ingeniously blends Peking opera vocals with "kuilei diao", showcasing the fascinating exchange between northern and southern theatrical arts; "Ruolan's Journey", an excerpt from the ancient play "The Palindromic Poems on the Brocade", poignantly depicts the arduous journey of Su Ruolan across 1,000 miles in search of her husband.
In addition, the puppeteers breathe life and soul into the marionettes through precise and delicate string manipulation. In "The Little Monk's Descent into the Mountain", the little monk puppet exhibits a repertoire of intricate stumbling gaits, vividly capturing his flustered haste through wind and rain; the Zhong Kui puppet in "The Drunkenness of Zhong Kui" performs nuanced actions such as lifting a wine pot, drinking, and even hiccupping; the "Lion Dance" combines string and palm puppetry techniques to portray an affectionate mother-and-cub lion duo at play; the monkey puppet in "Taming the Monkey" astounds by playing a guitar, riding a bicycle and grooving to disco beats, showcasing Quanzhou string puppetry's innovative spirit while honouring tradition. The programme also features an interactive segment during each performance, offering audiences a rare chance to engage up close with the intangible cultural heritage artistry.
Founded in 1952, the Quanzhou Marionette Show Inheritance and Protection Center is a principal guardian of Quanzhou string puppetry. The troupe has performed across different countries and regions, and has been featured in numerous national-level arts events, including China Central Television's Spring Festival Gala. Notably, the troupe participated in the 2019 New Year Traditional Opera Gala.
"Ancient Chinese Puppetry with Timeless Charm" by the Quanzhou Marionette Show Inheritance and Protection Center will be held at 7.30pm on September 12 and 13 (Friday and Saturday) at the Theatre of the Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre. Lyrics and dialogues are with Chinese and English surtitles. Tickets priced at $280 and $320 are available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. Group booking discounts and package booking discounts are available for purchasing selected CCF stage programmes, the "Chinese Opera Film Shows" of the Chinese Opera Festival (COF) 2025 and the "Legacy and Vision: Conversations with Chinese Cultural Masters" lecture. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7323 or visit www.ccf.gov.hk/en/programme/ancient-chinese-puppetry-with-timeless-charm.
The CCF, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office under the LCSD, aims to promote Chinese culture and enhance the public's national identity and cultural confidence. It also aims to attract top-notch artists and arts groups from the Mainland and other parts of the world for exchanges in Chinese arts and culture. The CCF 2025 is held from June to September. Through different performing arts programmes in various forms and related extension activities, including selected programmes of the COF, "Tan Dun WE-Festival", film screenings, exhibitions, as well as community and school activities and more, the festival provides members of the public and visitors with more opportunities to enjoy distinctive programmes that showcase fine traditional Chinese culture, thereby facilitating patriotic education and contributing to the inheritance, transformation and development of traditional Chinese culture in Hong Kong. For more information about programmes and activities of the CCF 2025, please visit www.ccf.gov.hk.
Ends/Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Issued at HKT 14:30
Issued at HKT 14:30
NNNN
