The 3rd "Red Flag Cup" Frankfurt International Dragon Boat Festival came to a successful close recently. Zhang Haohao, a county-level representative inheritor of Hengshan Shadow Play, took part in the concurrent traditional Chinese cultural performances and food market events as the sole representative of the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) inheritors from Hengshan County. Crossing mountains and seas, she brought this ancient art overseas, captivating international audiences and winning widespread acclaim.

Returning home with pride and emotion, Zhang went live for the first time after the overseas journey. Leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the international stage, she sat before the camera and, for the first time, shared with her viewers the stories of her cross-cultural ICH adventure softly and sincerely, recounting the heartwarming moments she had experienced along the riverside far from home.

The livestream room was simply adorned, featuring only the shadow puppets and cultural creative items freshly brought back from Germany. Zhang carefully took out the handcrafted shadow puppets of Nezha and Ao Bing, touching the carved lines gently, filled with care and emotion. She spent two months meticulously refining the two new puppets before the festival, blending Huxiang paper-cutting, leather carving, and painting techniques. She held a simple goal that she wanted to demonstrate Hengshan's most authentic ICH crafts to the world, letting foreign friends see that the ancient Chinese shadow play is still vibrant and fashionable, and carries enduring craftsmanship passed down through generations.

Zhang Haohao, a county-level representative inheritor of Hengshan Shadow Play, shows netizens the shadow puppets she had displayed overseas during her livestream.

In front of the camera, Zhang thoughtfully recounted the details of her exhibition in Germany. On the international stage by the Main River, tourists from around the world were drawn to stop and admire Hengshan Shadow Play, experiencing it up close for the first time. Unfamiliar languages and different cultures could not diminish the wonder and beauty cast by the light and shadow. Seeing faces full of curiosity and delight, she truly felt that ICH is never an old, dusty relic, but a cultural force that transcends borders, reaches hearts, and conveys the warmth of the East. What moved her most was the sincere recognition from people of all walks of life overseas. "They think we Chinese are incredibly skilled with our hands. They couldn't believe we could make something like this—they couldn't believe they were handmade," she said.

In addition to immersive shadow puppet shows and interactive cultural activities, Zhang also brought along self-developed cultural creative products inspired by shadow puppets, such as leather hairpins, earrings, necklaces, and brooches. Each piece features unique hand-carved craftsmanship that reshaped overseas perceptions of Chinese accessories. Many foreign visitors marveled at the crafts on display and eagerly bought pieces as souvenirs.

"One overseas Chinese visitor told me it was the first time she has seen such accessories. She thought they were truly special, and each of these handmade pieces is one-of-a-kind," Zhang Haohao said.

From rural stages to international riverbanks, from quiet perseverance to overseas acclaim, Zhang has never stopped, staying true to her original aspiration. When talking about ICH inheritance, her eyes gleamed with passion and determination. She said she is both an art guardian and also a dream chaser. Over the years, refusing to let the ancient art fade into oblivion, she has consistently worked to revitalize the art with youthful approaches—online sharing and offline promotion, making breakthroughs time and again. This overseas trip further reinforced her gentle yet firm vision for the long-term preservation and promotion of ICH.

During the livestream, she expressed her hope to bring Hengshan shadow puppet craft to overseas Chinese-language schools, hoping that children abroad—both Chinese and local—can experience and learn this ancient art. She also expected to set up small shadow puppet troupes, so that the art can take root and thrive abroad, being carried forward for generations to come. The glimmer of Huxiang culture may shine brightly on the world stage.

Hengshan Shadow Play, a national-level ICH item rooted in Hengshan County, was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2014 as a vital component of Chinese shadow puppetry. Its distinctive Hunan-style light-and-shadow artistry carries profound Huxiang cultural heritage. Having made a stunning debut on an international stage in Germany, Zhang returned home and shared her reflections, pride, and passion in a heartfelt livestream. Her journey demonstrated that intangible cultural heritage can captivate global audiences while retaining its gentle warmth at home — reminding us that craftsmanship endures and heritage never fades.

This article is from Hunan Provincial Government. www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Pang Yuehui

Chinese source: hunantoday