Stories in a flicker of light

As the music begins, led by the piercing tones of the suona (double-reed instrument), performers' fingers move deftly behind the screen, manipulating thin rods to bring the puppets to life.

Epic tales then unfold in flickering shadows.

At every step, this time-honored art reveals a handmade spirit — the quiet ingenuity of turning the simplest light into a world of stories.

"Xiaoyi shadow puppetry features a bold, unrefined style, simple, exaggerated, and powered by strong, forceful lines that create a better visual effect," explains Guo Weiwei, a 39-year-old shadow puppetry craftsman and performer.

Guo incorporates contemporary aesthetics into traditional puppet designs, creating cultural products such as shadow puppet bookmarks, decorative lamps and wedding gift boxes.

He also regularly posts on short-video platforms, documenting how he transforms raw cowhide into lively, expressive figures.

Shadow puppetry was inscribed on China's first list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2006.