Passing the torch: Qingdao shadow puppet inheritor shares skills

Wu Yunfeng, an inheritor of shadow puppet, shares her expertise in Qingdao West Coast New Area. [Photo/CFP]

At the Qingdao Art and Science Innovation Institute of Tsinghua Qingdao Academy in Qingdao West Coast New Area (Qingdao WCNA), Shandong province, Wu Yunfeng, a long-time inheritor of shadow puppets, an intangible cultural heritage (ICH), shared her expertise with eager enthusiasts on March 26.

Having dedicated over 30 years of her life to the preservation of shadow puppets, Wu is a respected figure in the field. As a representative inheritor of shadow puppets, a district-level ICH in Qingdao WCNA, her mastery in shadow carving and puppet performance is deeply revered.

To revitalize interest in shadow puppets, Wu creatively integrates themes from Peking Opera, Henan Opera, Lu Opera and local Qingdao dialect dramas into her shadow puppet scripts and carving works. Her fresh interpretations and performances breathe new life into this traditional art form, broadening its appeal and attracting a growing fanbase.

A shadow puppet piece created by Wu. [Photo/CFP]

Recognizing her contributions, Wu has been honored three times as the "Most Beautiful Inheritor of ICH" by Qingdao WCNA. She aims to establish a shadow puppet troupe to further propagate the art form and its cultural significance.

Since 2017, Wu has been promoting shadow puppets in schools, founding Qingdao's first school shadow puppet club. Her efforts to teach children the art form have borne fruit, with her proteges winning accolades for their performances at the CCTV variety awards.