Over 500 artists, representing 35 puppet performance groups from 12 countries, participate in this event. [Photo by Zhang Jiuqiang/qzwb.com]

The seventh China Quanzhou International Puppetry Show, a core component of the fifth Maritime Silk Road International Arts Festival, kicked off at Quanzhou Puppetry Theater on Dec 9.

More than 500 artists, representing 35 puppet performance groups from 12 countries, participated in this event. Following the opening ceremony, a special performance of Quanzhou string puppetry, titled "The Legend of Little Jingang," took place.

Throughout the event, artists ventured into rural areas, theaters, schools, and squares, delivering over 80 captivating performances. This provided the local community with the precious opportunity to experience the brilliance of these performances right at their doorstep.

Quanzhou, a world heritage city, bears the title of the "hometown of puppet art." The traditional Fujian puppetry, centered in Quanzhou, stands as the first in China to be registered under UNESCO's Good Safeguarding Practices of Intangible Cultural Heritage. In addition, Quanzhou is the first city in China to hold an international puppetry festival. It has successfully organized six international puppetry shows in 1986, 1990, 2000, 2015, 2017, and 2019, significantly enhancing the popularity and influence of Quanzhou.

The opening ceremony draws a packed and enthusiastic audience. [Photo by Zhang Jiuqiang/qzwb.com]