Recently, the Zizhong County Puppet Theatre Troupe in Neijiang City has been exploring ways to "rejuvenate intangible cultural heritage", creating a range of puppet theatre-themed cultural and creative products and various spin-offs, including "puppet theatre in a box", the "Panda & Puppet" series of blind boxes, puppet-making craft kits, fridge magnets and cultural and creative stationery.

As soon as the lights come on, even the smallest space becomes a stage; with a gentle flick of the control rod, the Golden Hoop Staff is swung with precision at the "White Bone Spirit". This is "puppet theatre in a box" — both entertaining and beautiful.

The value of puppets extends far beyond that of mere "trendy toys". They have distinct characters, movements and stories, and many life lessons are embedded in their every gesture; young people observe these and take them to heart. In recent years, the Zizhong County Puppet Theatre Troupe has created and staged productions such as The 'Code' of Pomegranate Seeds, The Adventures of Young Zhang Daqian, Confucius Visits Hong to Inquire About Music and Zhao Xiong's Resistance Against the Jin, reaching out to young people through public performances, school visits and educational experiences. In this way, they have quietly sown the seeds of ethnic unity and cultural confidence in the hearts of young people.

Original play Zhao Xiong's Resistance Against the Jin

Moving from the stage to everyday life, and from mere spectatorship to active engagement, the Zizhong County Puppet Theatre Troupe is using cultural and creative initiatives and new productions to bring the ancient art of puppetry closer to younger audiences and into children's childhoods.