Quanzhou Marionette

Marionette, historically known as “string puppet”, originated from the Qin and Han dynasties and spread to Fujian with the southward migration of the gentry in the Central Plains during the Jin and Tang dynasties. It became widely popular in Quanzhou in the late Tang Dynasty and Five Dynasties. Quanzhou Marionette carried forward numerous “Longwaibu” and “Luolongbu” traditional plays. Its rich falsetto singing and playing techniques of “pressed foot drums” and other rare musical instruments constitute a unique musical genre called “puppetry tune”. This has led to the formation of a set of sophisticated string manipulation techniques, known as the “traditional basic string rules”, as well as an exquisite figure modeling art and elaborate figure-head carving techniques. It is an outstanding example of Chinese string puppetry art. 

In December 2012, the Strategy for the Training of Coming Generations of Fujian Puppetry Practitioners, jointly submitted by Quanzhou Puppet Troupe, Jinjiang Palm Puppet Troupe and Zhangzhou Puppet Troupe, was included in the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. 

Quanzhou Marionette Iinheritance Center (formerly Quanzhou Puppet Troupe), has made 250-plus visits to more than 70 countries and regions on the five continents as a goodwill ambassador of China, winning the Award for Contribution to People’s Friendship from the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. It has been invited to perform at the UN Headquarters, the UNESCO Headquarters, the opening ceremony of the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing, the CCTV Spring Festival Gala and the CCTV Lantern Festival Gala, among other major events.

The “Lantern Festival” play demonstrates the folklore events of the Lantern Festival in Quanzhou, in which local people and foreign merchants stage fascinating parades, creating an exciting scene.