A performer of the Hunan Puppet and Shadow Art Protection & Inheritance Center dances a shadow show for the diplomats, December 6, 2016. [Photo by Meghan Horihan/Chinaculture.org]

Jean-Philip Jutzi, cultural counselor to Switzerland’s embassy, recently moved to China with his wife, and they were hoping to gain some insight and learn more about this massive country.

“It’s very useful to meet people from local authorities, cultural institutions and foreign ministries, not to only meet people in the capital,” Jutzi said. “It’s very useful to see different places of China.”

Changsha, capital of Hunan province, was the first stop on our tour. One of the first things I noticed as we started on this journey was the shear amount of construction that whizzed by our tour bus, as the local government pushes to increase tourism and infrastructure.

Slightly less visible, but just as pertinent to Hunan, are the arts. Our group visited the Hunan Puppet and Shadow Art Protection and Inheritance Center to get a taste of a shadow art show.

The center focuses on bringing the art to children and inspiring their interest at a young age, in hopes that the tradition won't be forgotten. However, there was a resounding agreement among the group that puppet and shadow art can be for anyone. Olena Shevchenko, second secretary of the Ukraine embassy, appreciated the ironic humor that adults could also enjoy.