Dancing Shadows:The Magic of Jinzhou Shadow Puppetry

◎辽宁省锦州市滨海新区第一初级中学八年一班 杜晰滢 指导教师：陈建昆

锦州皮影戏是一种古老的传统民间艺术。它以精美的道具，讲述着引人入胜的故事，传承多年，仍以其丰富的历史和文化内涵吸引着观众。

Jinzhou Shadow Puppetry is an part of Jinzhou’s cultural heritage.It uses shadow puppets to tell attractive stories.This art has been passed down for many years and continues to attract audiences with its fascinating history and cultural importance.

The origins of Jinzhou Shadow Puppetry can be traced back to the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty.Zhao Honglin, a puppet artist from Tangshan, whose ancestral( 祖先的) hometown was in Chenjiafen, the northern part of Jinzhou City,formed a puppet troupe(剧团) along with Shen Yongxiang and Li Xiu.In 1877, they performed in locations like Wangtun,Majia, Baileihu, gradually forming the distinct Jinzhou Shadow Puppetry with a Liao-western style.There is a growing number of people using shadow puppets for offerings, leading to the creation of shadow puppet boxes and shadow puppet societies.

Jinzhou Shadow Puppetry uses ass hide puppets that are skillfully controlled by performers.The puppets are moved behind a screen, and their shadows create lively characters.With the help of lights and music, the stories become more engaging(迷人的),bringing ancient tales to the audience.These performances are not only for fun, but also teach important lessons and show traditional customs.

To fully appreciate Shadow Puppetry, audiences must watch with focused attention, closely following the movements and music created by the performers.The synchronization( 同步) of lighting, music, and storytelling transports viewers into a world of enchantment(魅力) and imaginative storytelling.

Jinzhou Shadow Puppetry is very popular because of its beauty and cultural importance.It helps pass on traditional values and knowledge to younger people.This cultural heritage is deeply rooted in history and represents the intelligence and creativity of the Jinzhou community.As young learners, it is important for us to learn about and protect this cultural heritage so that it can be enjoyed and valued by future generations.