Zhejiang Taishun: Covered Bridges Meet Puppets
On March 21, "World Wood Day" coincided with "World Puppetry Day" , marking the wonderful launch of Taishun’s themed event "Covered Bridges Meet Puppets". Bringing together three national intangible cultural heritages: Yaofa Fire Puppets, String Puppets, and Puppet Head Carving—and integrating the Traditional Construction Techniques of Chinese Wooden Arch Bridges, a UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the event featured immersive performances, flash mob interactions and intangible cultural heritage markets at the Covered Bridge Cultural Park and Xiao Village Commune.
On site, Ji Tianyuan, inheritor of puppet head carving, presented her works, allowing the audience to appreciate the exquisite craftsmanship of puppetry up close. Visitors enjoyed puppet shows at ancient bridges during the day, while Yaofa Fire Puppets lit up the night sky. Traditional and innovative performances were staged one after another, offering tourists an immersive experience of the unique charm of puppetry art. By integrating intangible cultural heritage with culture and tourism, the event embodied the spirit of World Wood Day, promoting Taishun’s living heritage preservation and creative development.