Shandong stilt-walking boosts rural vitalization

Larger than life: Stilt-walking performers in colorful costumes present exciting routines. [Photo by Yan Jie for chinadaily.com.cn]

A stilt-walking performance was recently held in Fuchun town in Juancheng county – located in East China's Shandong province – to showcase local intangible cultural heritage and to help promote rural vitalization.

The performers, wearing colorful costumes and props, played characters from ancient myths or historical stories. They pranced along the streets on wooden crutches, accompanied by festive gongs and drums, attracting excited spectators.

Stilt-walking, also known as "walking on crutches", is a traditional folk art form in Juancheng county.

The crutches are made of wood, ranging from 1 meter to 2.67 meters in height, with a horizontal wooden bar attached 0.5 meters from the top. The performers step onto the wood and tie the crutches to their calves with hemp rope, lifting their feet several meters from the ground.

The publicity department of Juancheng said the county would further explore the innovation of intangible cultural heritage culture, create a rural tourism culture industry and promote the development of rural vitalization. (Edited by Fan Yuanyuan)