Shadow Puppetry of a Different Kind不一样的皮影戏

With its distinctive features， shadow puppetry， an ancient form of storytelling that originated in China more than 2，000 years ago， still enjoys popularity today.

Just like many species on earth that are in danger of extinction， traditional arts also face the risk of disappearing. “Many young people still hold the impression that shadow puppetry is some kind of old-fashioned folk art，” said Liu Chaokan， the sixth-generation inheritor of shadow puppetry in Liujiazhai， Tengchong， Yunnan.

Before deciding to carry the torch of Liujiazhai shadow puppetry his family had operated for more than two centuries， Liu was practicing shooting as a student-athlete in college. Some of his college friends also doubted the future of the family business. They couldn’t understand why he would choose to work on an “old and unattractive” art.

Liu understands why some old art forms couldn’t appeal to the young， which is why he has decided to combine brand-new stories with the traditional form of storytelling.

皮影戏是一种古老的故事表演艺术，起源于2 000多年前的中国，凭借独特魅力至今仍深受欢迎。

正如地球上许多有灭绝危险的物种一样，传统艺术同样面临消失的危险。“在许多年轻人的印象中，皮影戏是一种过时的民间艺术。”云南腾冲刘家寨皮影戏第六代传人刘朝侃如是说。

刘朝侃的家族经营刘家寨皮影戏已有两百多年，在决定继承家业前，刘朝侃是一名大学生运动员，练的是射击项目。他的一些大学好友也对其家族事业的未来表示担忧，他们无法理解他为什么会选择从事这种“既古老又毫无吸引力的”艺术。

刘朝侃深知一些古老的艺术形式无法吸引年轻人关注的症结所在，因此他决定用这种传统的故事表演艺术来演绎全新的故事。

In a show adapted by his team based on the ancient Chinese novel Journey to the West， Baigujing dances to the Korean pop hit “Gangnam Style”. Popular Chinese cartoon characters， together with their foreign counterparts， are Liu’s secret in attracting the attention of children. “Since they couldn’t understand those old stories， why don’t we show them the cartoon characters they love in shadow puppetry shows？” said Liu.

Short video sharing platforms have also been Liu’s new tool to spread shadow puppetry. A short clip of the show can easily get thousands of likes on the platform， and many of his followers have come all the way to his theater to enjoy a piece of authentic shadow puppetry live performance.

To keep the old art forever young， Liu believes puppeteers should also respect its traditions. “You can’t shake the roots of the art，” Liu said. “Preserving its tradition and seeking innovation are equally important.”

他的團队根据中国古典小说《西游记》改编出了一场表演，演出中，白骨精伴随着韩国流行歌曲《江南Style》跳起了劲舞。将中国动画片中受欢迎的角色与国外对应的动画片角色结合在一起，是刘朝侃吸引孩子们注意的秘诀。“既然他们不理解那些古老的故事，我们为何不在皮影戏中为他们展示他们喜欢的动画片角色呢？”他说道。

短视频分享平台也成了刘朝侃用来传播皮影戏文化的新工具。一段皮影戏表演短视频很轻易便能在平台上收获成千上万个赞，许多粉丝还会特地赶到他的剧院，现场观赏一场地地道道的皮影戏表演。

为了使这种古老的艺术永葆生机，刘朝侃认为皮影戏表演者也应该尊重传统。“绝不能动摇这种艺术的根基。”他说道，“保留传统和寻求创新同样重要。”

Word Bank

distinctive /dɪ'stɪŋktɪv/ adj. 特别的；独特的

The male bird has distinctive white markings on its head.

originate /ə'rɪdʒɪneɪt/ v. 起源；发端于

preserve /prɪ'zɜːv/ v. 保护；保存

The society was set up to preserve endangered species from extinction.

innovation /'ɪnə'veɪʃn/ n. 创新；改革