Cao County Shadow Puppet Show Stuns at the China International Import Expo

大众网记者 崔智琪 曹县报道

From November 5 to 10, the 9th China International Import Expo was held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). As a representative of local Heze culture, Cao County’s Ren Family Shadow Puppetry appeared in the Shandong Pavilion, vividly showcasing the unique charm of Cao County’s intangible cultural heritage to guests from home and abroad.

During the expo, shadow puppet performances in the Shandong Pavilion were held at scheduled times, becoming one of the most popular photo spots on site. Ren Yinlai, the eighth-generation inheritor, performed with the puppets on site, while Ren Luzheng, the ninth-generation inheritor, took over the stage. The witty and lively performances drew waves of laughter from the audience. An international student from New York also apprenticed on site to experience shadow puppetry, getting up close to the charm of Cao County shadow puppetry. Several leaders attended the shadow puppet performances and visited the shadow puppet crafts, commending Cao County’s efforts to promote the living transmission of intangible cultural heritage.

By leveraging the international platform of the CIIE, Cao County’s Ren Family Shadow Puppetry not only gained greater visibility but also opened new pathways for connecting with cultural peers at home and abroad, expanding international exchanges and cooperation, and developing cultural and creative products and co-branded products related to shadow puppetry.