Chinese artist wows US students with lifelike puppet show

WASHINGTON - When Chen Lihui, a performer of Fujian Puppetry, a Chinese performance art, simultaneously maneuvered the head of his 18-inch puppet back and forth, its legs kicking high, and its hands wiping the dust off the brim of its hat, 200 children burst into laughter.

Chen, from the city of Zhangzhou in Fujian province, East China, performed the fascinating traditional art to the students and faculty of Paint Branch Elementary School in Prince George's County, Maryland last week.

"It's almost (as if) you can have a connection to the puppets. He tells his stories through arts and movements," said Tricia Hairston, principal of the school.

Fujian Puppetry, which dates back more than 1,500 years, is listed among China's national intangible cultural heritage, Chen said. A Zhangzhou puppet show often features famous characters from Peking Opera expressed through exquisite wood carvings and lifelike performances.

Chen, who is especially adept at playing clown characters, said he was overwhelmed by the kids' enthusiasm.

"It's the first time they saw a traditional Chinese puppet show. They were so curious about it - they kept saying wow, wow, wow!" he said.

After the performance, Chen invited a few students to try for themselves, offering them dozens of different puppets, which filled the large suitcase he brought all the way from China. Children from prekindergarten through third grade shot a volley of questions: "What is this character?""Do you have to remember all the moves?" "How many years have you been doing this?"

Chen began learning puppetry at a local art school in Fujian in the early 1980s.

"You have to practice on basic skills for three years before you can even touch a puppet," he said, adding that one of the most important skills is to be able to move your fingers precisely as needed.

In a prior session, Chen performed puppetry to students at the elementary school. He also held a workshop for a few teachers on the same day.

"I'm very excited," said the principal. "It allowed teachers to really embrace a new way of integrating the arts into the Chinese culture and really help our students have a robust, rigorous learning program."

About five years ago, the school started a Chinese immersion program.

Prince George's County was one of the seven counties in the US State of Maryland on Chen's 11-day trip that concluded on March 21. The artist also visited universities, schools and art councils in counties including Cumberland, Wicomico and St. Mary's.

"The puppets came to life and Chen was fantastic at enabling this," said Betty McGinnis, president of the nonprofit World Artists Experiences, the organizer of the events, adding that the beautiful art form captivated people of all ages.

"Children's eyes would light up. Giggles abound. This made his programs magical. Adults, too, became wide-eyed and childlike as they played with the puppets," she said.

McGinnis said what struck her most was how the Chinese artist became one-with-the-puppet while he was performing.

Chen stayed with local host families during the trip and went to attend a musical at a college in Allegany County, making the experience memorable for the artist, who has traveled to more than 20 countries to perform his puppet show.

"In the past, when the performance was over, I immediately left - the audience didn't know me, nor did I know them," Chen said. "This time, I was able to interact with so many people and to experience real American life. It feels so different."

"Everyone would like to have had him for a longer time," McGinnis said. "Everyone realized that in this age of technology, this is a wonderful way to step aside and both enjoy and learn in life."

McGinnis said locals realized that the puppet arts could be a great means of communication, calling Chen a beautiful artist, a powerful teacher and communicator.

"We hope for his return someday," she said.

Xinhua