6-year-old fire-breathing phenom goes viral

Videos of a 6-year-old boy in Southwest China's Chongqing performing fire-breathing — a unique Sichuan Opera stunt — went viral online recently.

In the video, the chubby little boy, dressed in opera regalia, skillfully holds two torches in his hands and firmly plants his feet. He then holds his breath for a few seconds and breathes flames during a performance.

The boy Li Wenjie was born in Gaodongzi village of Banqiao township of Yongchuan.

More than two years ago, the boy saw his father, Li Tianhong, teaching his elder brother how to fire-breathe and became interested. So, Li Tianhong, a famous local acrobat, decided to teach both his sons the intangible cultural heritage.

Sichuan Opera, popular in Southwest China, is one of China's traditional opera dramas and boasts a history of around 300 years.

Three major stunts of Sichuan Opera are face-changing, fire-breathing, and lamp-rolling techniques. In 2006, the State Council enlisted them in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage.

To master the high-level skill, the little boy must practice the basics daily. One such practice is repeatedly holding a mouthful of cold water, which usually causes soreness in his cheeks.

His talent and hard work paid off. He won fifth place at this year's Spring Festival Gala in Chongqing, according to the local cultural and tourism commission.

The boy said his dream is to be a Sichuan Opera master when he grows up.

"I hope more people can know about and appreciate our traditional culture. Tutoring my sons the Sichuan Opera arts is my trial of inheritance," said Li Tianhong.