As a highlight of the 2024 Foshan Urban Arts Festival's "Stage Wonders" segment, the whimsical and inspiring lantern drama Ascend of the Carp premiered on August 24 at the Foshan Grand Theatre. The enchanting performance and hands-on fish lantern workshop breathed new life into the local intangible cultural heritage of the "Daliang Fish Lanterns".

Produced by Meishu Culture and presented by the Qiu Qiezi Theatre Troupe, The drama follows the journey of Jin, a golden-backed koi, and Xiao Hui, a grey-eyed koi, as they bravely swim upstream and leap over the Dragon Gate in their quest for greatness.

"This is a story about growth!" says producer Fang Hengya, who is also a mother. She hopes the production will showcase the spirit of perseverance in the face of challenges, highlight the importance of teamwork, and encourage relentless pursuit of one's dreams through the protagonists' growth and transformation.

By cleverly integrating the Daliang Fish Lantern, an intangible cultural heritage, with modern stagecraft, the drama offers audiences a unique cultural experience. After the performance, the theatre hosted a fish lantern workshop, allowing attendees to experience the making process of these traditional lanterns firsthand.

"The Daliang Fish Lantern has over 200 years of history, and we hope more families will come to appreciate them," says Pan Zhijiang, a craftsman and inheritor of the Daliang Fish Lanterns. He contributed to the lanterns used in the show, imbuing them with deep cultural significance. He notes that each lantern takes over a week to make, with the biggest challenge being "reinforcing the lanterns" to withstand vigorous movements on stage.

Liu Keng, President of the Daliang Fish Lanterns Association, was pleasantly surprised by the show. He praised the blend of traditional craftsmanship with modern stage artistry. "Since our association's founding in 2018, we've worked hard to preserve the Daliang Fish Lanterns. It's exciting to see these traditions finding new life in modern art, becoming a vibrant symbol of local culture," Liu said.

Reporter | Eleanor

Revisor | Zoey, Eddie

Photo |  Foshan News and Media Center, Huang Heting

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