Puppet art develops in China

Puppet art is one of the world's oldest opera arts. Different characteristics have developed in different parts of the world throughout its long history. Puppet art has dwindled as a form of entertainment amid the rise of the mass media. But international puppeteers are leading the art form's revival at the Shanghai International Puppet Festival.

Dozens of puppet theatres from China and around the world have staged performances. German show, "Athlete Giant", entertained festival-goers with its two meter-high puppet handled by five puppeteers. The puppet interacted with the audience during its performance.

Puppet artists said they hope to participate in more exchanges in China.

The host city's puppet group presented its play, "Ali Baba". The show combined puppets and human actors and used sound and lighting techniques. For the artists, it was a chance to learn from others.

Zheng Huliu, puppet performer, said, "As Shanghai school puppeteers, we present creative performances. Also we have used imagination in directing, light and sound design. But we still need to study from overseas artists."

China's history of puppetry dates back more than 2-thousand years. The art form is regarded as the origin of Chinese Opera. Chinese puppetry is renowned for its intricate designs and detailed story lines. Today's Chinese puppet shows have even pulled a few strings to include modern stage effects.

Chinese puppet troupes depend on the government for funding. Many lack sponsorship to visit overseas puppet theatres. That's why Shanghai is hosting the International Puppet Festival.

Quanzhou Puppet Group, from East China's Fujian Province, performed at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The group was also involved in marketing Shanghai's International Puppet Festival.

The festival's organizing committee aims to keep promoting the event.

President SMG performance art group, Wu Xiaoming, said, "We will hold the festival annually and make it a trademark event in the field. We will also foster fan bases of puppetry."

The Shanghai Puppet Group has undergone reforms, and its future will depend on box office income. Many Chinese puppet troupes have made changes which have provided motivation for puppet art practitioners to create more works to entertain their fans.