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Minnan Culture Takes Center Stage in Kinmen Comedy Show
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A vibrant showcase of Fujian province’s Minnan culture captivated audiences in Kinmen on Saturday,blending customary arts with modern comedic styles.
A comedy show featuring performers from Fujian province successfully debuted in Kinmen on Saturday, offering a lively celebration of Minnan culture through a diverse range of performances.The event, held at the arts adn culture center of Kinmen’s cultural affairs bureau, included stand-up comedy, sketches, Xiangsheng (crosstalk), and other art forms, drawing a multigenerational crowd.
Bridging Fujian and Kinmen Through Laughter
The show was a collaborative effort organized by the associations for cultural and tourism promotion and the performing arts industry of Fujian, highlighting the strong cultural ties between Fujian and Kinmen. minnan culture, encompassing its unique dialect and everyday traditions, served as the central theme, offering humorous reflections on customs ranging from weddings to local folk religions.
According to a comedy industry insider based in Xiamen, Fujian, and the show’s host, Wei He, the performers initially expressed some apprehension about how their style would be received.”We were initially worried about whether our performing style would be well received by the local audience, but once the show began, we realized those worries were unnecessary, as the audience responded with great enthusiasm,” she stated.
A Diverse Audience Embraces Traditional and Modern Humor
Promoted through social networks, the Saturday performance attracted a broad demographic, including residents of all ages and students from nearby Quemoy University. Tsan-yen, a 20-year-old university student who attended at the invitation of friends, described being particularly impressed by a Xiangsheng act. “I was impressed by the xiangsheng act about Minnan family letters, in which one performer imitated a Douyin livestream sales pitch in a funny way,” he said. “I also watch Douyin in daily life,so it kind of resonated with me.”
To foster a deeper connection with the local audience, the performers thoughtfully incorporated elements specific to Kinmen, such as Kinmen tribute candy and kaoliang liquor, into their routines. Traditional Minnan arts were also presented in the local dialect, ensuring accessibility and enhancing the audience’s engagement.
Preserving Intangible Cultural Heritage
The performance also served as a platform to showcase the rich heritage of Quanzhou marionette art. Hu Liwei, a 34-year-old marionette performer from Quanzhou, presented a puppetry piece based on the classical act “The Little Monk’s Descent into the Mountain” in the Minnan dialect. He noted the enthusiastic reception, stating, “Here in Kinmen, the audience didn’t need subtitles to follow the lyrics and lines, so the atmosphere was very lively, even beyond our expectations.”
Hu,who has been practicing the art for over a decade,emphasized the historical significance of Quanzhou marionette,a national intangible cultural heritage item with roots stretching back at least 1,000 years. The art form,he explained,deeply embodies Minnan folk religions and customs. “There are many more captivating elements in Quanzhou marionette art, and we hope to have the
