Stories in a flicker of light

Hou Jianchuan, an eighth-generation representative inheritor of this intangible cultural heritage, has long been thinking about how to attract modern audiences to the art.

Once hugely popular in Xiaoyi, shadow puppetry performances were commonly staged during temple fairs, weddings and harvest celebrations.

Born in 1961, Hou grew up immersed in the art.

"I grew up watching shadow puppetry performances," he says. "It's something that lives in my bones."