Taiwanese veteran artist Chu Chen-yuan (朱振源), the leader of the Chen Hua Kuang Puppet Troupe (真華光掌中劇團), passed away on February 18 at the age of 75. Culture Minister Shih Che expressed condolences upon hearing the news.
Born in 1948 in Xinhua, Tainan, Chu has devoted himself to the promotion and preservation of the glove puppetry culture for six decades. He played a significant role in passing down the art of glove puppetry and grooming the next generations throughout his life. In addition to nurturing potential successors, Chu also visits rural areas to demonstrate narration and manipulation techniques of glove puppetry to students voluntarily; while introducing the art to the community.
Chu's sons Chu Chi-tao (朱其島) and Chu Nan-hsiung (朱南雄) inherited their father's passion for glove puppetry and founded the Taiwan Chi Hsiung Puppet Theater (臺灣其雄木偶劇團) and Chi Hsiung Puppet Troupe (其雄布袋戲團). They upheld their father's practices and performed local glove puppet shows with live narration to present the most traditional performance technique with an aim to promote the art.
The Ministry of Culture stated that glove puppetry is a unique Taiwanese culture. Chu dedicated his life to glove puppetry performances, and through family inheritance, the art was promoted by various means and methods over time. The MOC will present a posthumous certificate of appreciation to Chu, in recognition of his significant contribution to developing and promoting the spirit of traditional art.
Taiwanese glove puppetry uses intricately crafted puppets that are operated by puppeteers wearing gloves, hence the name "glove puppetry." Taiwanese glove puppetry often tells stories from traditional folklore, legends, and historical events, accompanied by live music and vocal performances.