Pulling the strings

Marionettes have a rich tradition in China, where puppeteers are desperately trying to preserve the art form for future generations. Wang Kaihao reports from Quanzhou.

The 200-year-old yard tucked away in an old neighborhood of Quan-zhou, Fujian province, is more like a temple than a theater.

A statue of the "God of Marionettes" is worshipped in the middle of the hall. After burning incense to pay homage to the deity, performers from the Quanzhou Marionette Troupe begin to practice the complex manipulation of the puppets with their fingers.