More than 20 students from Russia experienced Mount Tai shadow puppetry and learned how Mount Tai rubbings are made in Tai'an, Shandong province on March 16, experiencing the charm of traditional Chinese culture.

They watched a unique shadow puppet show performed by Fan Zheng'an, the sixth-generation practitioner of Mount Tai shadow puppetry. Guided by Fan, the students learned about the unique art form and tried it out for themselves.

Mount Tai rubbing is an ancient traditional technique in China for replicating and preserving calligraphic documents. Through continuous innovation over the generations, the art of making rubbings has become increasingly intricate.

The students learned about the history, techniques, and culture surrounding of Mount Tai rubbings.

A representative practitioner named Jiang Qinan explained and demonstrated how rubbings are made and helped the students to make their own.

The Russian students said that the activity deepened their understanding and love for traditional Chinese culture.

The students try their hands at Mount Tai shadow puppetry in Tai'an. [Photo by Chen Yang/for chinadaily.com.cn]

The students learn how rubbings are made. [Photo by Chen Yang/for chinadaily.com.cn]