සෙවනැලි නාටක වලට අලුත් පණක්

Jinan City breathes new life into traditional shadow play art

Local authorities in Jinan, the capital city of east China's Shandong Province, are rolling out policies to breathe new life into the once-popular but endangered art of Shadow plays, a national intangible cultural heritage.

Shadow plays, or shadow puppetry, are a beloved art form in China, with performers manipulating intricate animal skin puppets behind a white curtain, synchronizing their movements with the songs of local operas. In 2011, this captivating performance art was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

However, the development of this centuries-old tradition faced significant challenges over the past years. Data shows that over half of the fifth batch of national-level intangible cultural heritage inheritors were already over 60 years old as of 2018, while the mortality rate among the previous four batches reached 12.6 percent by 2016.

The adage "when the person is gone, the skill is lost" has loomed large over the preservation of this treasured art form.

Behind the preservation of this art form lies the unwavering dedication and passion of generations.

"As a cultural creation of the Chinese people throughout history, the art of shadow puppetry holds irreplaceable cultural value and unparalleled practical significance. It must not be forgotten, and we need to carry on its inheritance and promotion," said Zhang Jiping, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Jinan Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Association.

To ensure the true succession and development of shadow play, the key is to provide more platforms for public engagement and performances, which serve as the foundation.

The local government has responded by offering various support measures, including funding and opportunities for Jinan's shadow play inheritors to showcase their skills across the country.

"The government has given us many stages for exhibition. They also recommend us to perform shadow plays in various places nationwide, facilitating a lot of exchange," said Li Juan, a Jinan shadow play inheritor.

But beyond government backing, the shadow play artists have also recognized the need to explore innovative ways to "self-generate" new vitality. This has resulted in cross-disciplinary collaborations, such as integrating shadow play with cultural creativity, educational programs, and even new technologies.

"This is our miniature shadow play stage. It's perfect for families who want to enjoy shadow play at home after watching a performance. It's a great way for parents and children to interact and have fun together," Li explained.

As the visibility and income of shadow play performers have increased, the challenge of finding new inheritors has also been addressed.

Over the past decade, Li has recruited three batches of students with the support of the Jinan Municipal Culture Hall, even forming a "shadow play girl group" primarily composed of post-90s generation artists.

Furthermore, more community platforms have extended a helping hand to Jinan's shadow play tradition. In the Bahuazhou historic and cultural street area, a dedicated studio and performance venue have been established to house the inheritors.

"We've established the Bahuazhou Traditional Art Studio, which brings together the inheritors of various intangible cultural heritage items, including shadow puppetry, in one place. This allows them to interact and inspire one another, fostering a collaborative development effect. Essentially, the government is now providing the stage, while the inheritors take the lead in performing," said Chen Xuedong, Deputy Director of the Jinan Ancient City Protection and Development Center.

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