After reviving unique form of Kunqu, trio hope to set up center to attract and train future inheritors

Spectators watch Sun Jing (left) and Shi Jingfang perform a traditional Kunqu puppetry play at a cultural center in Qidu town in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, on May 17. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

On May 18, Kunqu Opera will celebrate 22 years on the list as a UNESCO Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

But in the city of Suzhou in Jiangsu province, a once-forgotten form of the opera is enjoying a new life.

In Qidu town, artists have revived a tradition that combines Kunqu Opera with puppetry, resulting in a fascinating form that is known as Kunqu puppetry.

It all began in 2004, when the Suzhou Opera School started a Kunqu class, and Qidu town decided to work on the restoration of the tradition.

Sun (right) and Shi practice in a park in Qidu on April 18. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Sun Jing, Shi Jinfang, and Shi Xiaoming, who were attending middle and high school at the time, were chosen to first study Kunqu and then puppetry at the school. After graduating in 2009, they moved to Qidu and dedicated themselves to Kunqu puppetry. Over the past 18 years, they have performed in 280 shows, drawing more than 70,000 spectators.

"Because we are short of hands, some traditional plays cannot be performed," said Sun Jing. "As a result, we are working to set up a demonstration center for Kunqu puppetry and hope to use it to hold public performances to attract more young people to experience and learn about Kunqu puppetry. Together, we hope to pass down this art form."

Puppets controlled by Sun and Shi are an integrated part of the art. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

A puppet is on display at the cultural center in Qidu on May 17. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Sun (right) and Shi practice in the dance room of the cultural center on April 19. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Children touch a puppet while Sun and Shi perform in a kindergarten in Qidu on April 20. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Sun (right) and Shi stage a Kunqu puppetry show for children at the kindergarten on April 20. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Sun (right) and Shi (left) teach children how to control the puppets at the kindergarten. (PHOTO / XINHUA)