China News Service, Weinan, Shaanxi, March 27 (Yang Yingqi) When Michael Jackson's shadow puppet appeared on the shadow puppet stage dancing "mechanical dance" and "moonwalk", when the Huayin old tune and the rock band showed off their skills on the same stage, when Chengcheng embroidery appears in every corner of life along with backpacks and eye masks... In Weinan, Shaanxi, countless intangible cultural heritage treasures have gone from "living" to "fire", continuing to write the thousand-year context of this "root of China".
As the hometown of Chinese opera and folk customs, Weinan ranks first in Shaanxi Province in terms of national-level intangible cultural heritage projects and the number of representative inheritors. From the Heyang string puppet show that gives puppets artistic life, Tongzhou Clappers known as "East Road Qin Opera" and "Old Qin Opera", to Chengcheng embroidery that carries the Yellow River culture, Weinan has innovatively inherited intangible cultural heritage in recent years. , carry out a census of intangible cultural heritage items, establish and improve the intangible cultural heritage protection system, and strengthen the research, identification, preservation and dissemination of intangible cultural heritage. In this land of Qindong, traditional folk customs are radiating new vitality and vitality.
The picture shows the backstage of the shadow puppet show. Photo by Peng Yipeng
Walking into the Shaohuashan International Shadow Puppet Expo Park, the reporter witnessed with his own eyes the "rebirth" of Huazhou shadow puppets: modeling shadow puppets based on the skeletal structure of real people, choreographing a series of new plays such as shadow puppet ballets, and using multimedia tools to switch scenes. "To pass on the shadow puppet making skills, we must introduce 'fresh blood', add modern elements, and use high and new technologies to gain recognition and love from more audiences, especially young audiences." said Xue Hongquan, the intangible inheritor of Huazhou shadow puppet carving skills. .
It is understood that in recent years, Weinan has continued to make efforts in the creation of literary and artistic masterpieces, the protection of intangible cultural heritage, and the improvement of the efficiency of public cultural services. Traditional intangible cultural heritage has also taken this opportunity to "whisk", and "mix and match" has become A popular choice for the “rebirth” of local intangible cultural heritage. First, Huayin Laoqiang came out with "China's oldest rock music", and later, shadow puppets, animation, and fairy tales were combined to launch new plays. The inheritors of Weinan's intangible cultural heritage are well aware of the significance of innovation in continuing the vitality of intangible cultural heritage.
The picture shows Huayin Laoqiang performing at the Silk Road Expo. Photo by Peng Yipeng
"Development and innovation that keep pace with the times can retain the hearts of the audience." Xue Hongquan not only innovates the content of the performance, but also tries to "retain" every moment of the shadow puppets. To this end, Xue Hongquan refined the elements of shadow puppets and made them into cultural and creative products such as decorations. "I hope to make it more relevant to modern society and more visible in people's lives."
Yang Yanhong, the representative inheritor of Chengcheng embroidery, feels the same way. While it has appreciation value, it also has a certain market value, which is more conducive to the dissemination and development of intangible cultural heritage. For this reason, Yang Yanhong went to other places for further study many times, trying to integrate traditional techniques with modern works. Canvas bags, eye masks, and the English version of the Chinese Zodiac have all become the "stage" of Chengcheng embroidery.
The picture shows Chengcheng Embroidery. Data map courtesy of Chengcheng County Party Committee Propaganda Department
From shadow puppets to embroidery, intangible cultural heritage elements originating from Weinan have quietly entered every corner of people's lives. In the practice of "surviving" intangible cultural heritage, the people of Weinan use production, circulation, sales and other means to bring traditional crafts into contemporary society and integrate them into daily life, which not only gives economic value to intangible cultural heritage resources, but also protects and protects them. Development has been given new impetus.
In addition to the production workshop and shadow puppet theater, the shadow puppet art research base that can accommodate more than 600 students at the same time is also a highlight of the Shaohua Mountain International Shadow Puppet Expo Park. Here, students can visit the Shadow Puppet Museum, learn shadow puppet making, perform shadow puppet shows, and experience the infinite charm of traditional intangible cultural heritage through personal experience.
The picture shows the laoqiang juvenile class at Weiyu Primary School run by Yuemiao, Huayin City. Photo by Peng Yipeng
With the continuous strengthening of the protection and inheritance of cultural relics, cultural museums, and intangible cultural heritage, Weinan has established the first batch of 18 municipal-level intangible cultural heritage workshops since 2023, built 3 new museums, and 1 cultural and museum complex. Intangible cultural heritage has entered scenic spots and campuses 382 events were held. From primary and secondary school campuses to various research bases, intangible cultural heritage teaching and skills training have attracted many researchers and tourists. With questions and answers, intangible cultural heritage is a people-oriented living cultural heritage. The key to its inheritance and innovation is the younger generation. After being awakened, the journey of cultivating the new generation of intangible genetic inheritors begins.
At the Qiaoniang Straw Weaving Handicraft Farmers' Professional Cooperative located in Qiaonan Town, Linwei District, more than ten rural women sat together, holding wheat straw and corn husks in their hands, twisting, rubbing or twisting. After a while, one by one, Straw vases with exquisite workmanship and beautiful shapes were formed from their hands. Chen Chunmiao, the chairman of the cooperative, said that in order to innovate and continue this century-old craft, she integrated the weaving technology into modern elements, and innovatively made vases, wind chimes and other household products with straw weaving, which not only sold well across the country, but also attracted customers from Japan, Nigeria, Nepalese and other overseas businessmen.
The picture shows Donglei Shanggong and Drum performing in Qiachuan Scenic Area. Photo by Peng Yipeng
Huazhou shadow puppet order-based training classes were carried out in Liuzhi Town, and bamboo weaving skills training classes were held in Xinmin Town and Daming Town. They even went to Guizhou to provide bamboo weaving assistance training to ethnic minority people, which led to the employment and income increase of more than 2,000 local people. Nowadays, more and more people are taking up the “job” of intangible cultural heritage crafts. As of the end of 2023, there are 192 representative inheritors at all levels and types in Huazhou District, Weinan City alone, with a total of 3,600 employees and a cumulative annual output value of 164 million yuan.
The transformation of intangible cultural heritage from "one-man show" to "cantata" is inseparable from the diversity of the audiences for intangible cultural heritage dissemination. Therefore, high-profile important festivals have become good opportunities for the dissemination of intangible cultural heritage. In the Spring Festival of 2024, combined with the contents of 16 national-level intangible cultural heritage and 174 provincial and municipal-level intangible cultural heritage items related to the Spring Festival, Weinan organized and carried out the Chengcheng County Shehuo Parade, Heyang County Noodle Flower Theme Exhibition and "Happily Ever After" There were 23 online and offline intangible cultural heritage activities and more than 60 events, including "Traveling to Weinan with Intangible Cultural Heritage on New Year's Day". The holding of the first International Intangible Cultural Heritage Exchange Week in Weinan also effectively promoted intangible cultural heritage to integrate into modern times, enter life, and go abroad, and comprehensively improved the international communication efficiency of intangible cultural heritage.
From "living" to "fire", Weinan's rich intangible cultural resources, led by Huazhou shadow puppets, are developing through protection and innovation through inheritance. They illuminate the past and present, and they display the inexhaustible and endless charm of China's excellent traditional culture. (over)