The Zhoushan glove puppets. [Photo/WeChat account: zjzsqdxq]

A group of young performers in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province, staged an original glove puppet show during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, offering audiences a contemporary interpretation of a traditional intangible cultural heritage art form.

The performance, titled Heroes of the Rough Sea, was presented at the Zhoushan Museum by students from Zhejiang Zhoushan Tourism and Health College. The production attracted families and visitors seeking cultural activities during the holiday.

Based on the true story of Shen Huazhong, a fishing boat captain from Daishan county, the play tells how he cut loose crab traps worth 100,000 yuan ($14,755) to rescue 16 sailors in distress at sea in 2021. The story unfolds across five acts and highlights such themes as courage, responsibility, and maritime spirit.

Unlike traditional puppet performances typically led by veteran artists, the show was created and performed by students born in or after 2000. The young cast handled puppetry, singing, and musical accompaniment, combining traditional techniques with modern stage presentation.

The Zhoushan glove puppet show is a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage item known for its distinctive island characteristics. The production incorporated traditional Zhoushan opera melodies while using dialogue rendered in Mandarin to make the story more accessible to modern audiences.