Download Children to carry on ancient traditions of Chinese shadow plays

Children to carry on ancient traditions of Chinese shadow plays
Media release: For immediate release
In danger of becoming a forgotten craft, Chinese shadow puppetry is an exquisite form of
storytelling that originated in the Han Dynasty. Not only is it a captivating and lively form of
entertainment, but it is also an elegant folk art.
To ensure this gem of Chinese culture is not lost, Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Center
(CHP) will introduce it to children and young people this Saturday.
“It is our hope the kids will fall in love with the art of shadow plays, and as a result, gain
greater appreciation and awareness for their cultural heritage,” CHP managing director Lu Lei
said.
“This way shadow art can be passed down and preserved through the generations.”
With origins in the Han Dynasty in ancient China, shadow play is an ancient form of
storytelling and entertainment, where silhouette puppets are used behind an illuminated
backdrop. The puppets – traditionally made of mulberry paper or leather – come alive in the
lamp light.
During the Song Dynasty, holidays were marked with shadow play performances, and in the
Ming Dynasty, Beijing was home to between 40 and 50 shadow play troupes.
Shadow plays are well preserved in Huan Xian County in northwest Gansu Province, but
unfortunately, the art of certain plays and performance is being lost in many other areas of
China.
CHP’s event aims to instill an interest and passion for shadow play in our younger generation,
when they are invited to learn basic techniques from puppet masters and take part in a quiz
after the performance.
The event will be held at the newly renovated Shichahai Shadow Art Hotel, which boasts
traditional-opera style décor and a magnificent shadow art theater.
Details:
What: Sunny Shadows: The Ancient Art of Chinese Shadow Play
When: 4 to 5.30pm, Saturday, July 9th 2011
Where: 24 Song Shu Jie, Xicheng District, Beijing. (北京市西城区松树街胡同 24 号)
----Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Center (CHP) is an independent Chinese NGO which
supports communities to protect their cultural heritage throughout China. Founded by cultural
conservationist He Shuzhong, CHP is now the leading local cultural heritage protection NGO in
China. CHP gives Chinese people a voice to protect the future of their past through capacity
building, education, training, networking and support. CHP’s main focus areas are cultural
heritage protection and civil society building, ethnic minority cultural revitalization and media
mobilization.