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The 9^th ATS is proudly to invite I Wan Jan Hand Puppet Theater to perform for us. Hand (glove) Puppetry, also called "Chang-Chung Hsi" (play in the palm), was introduced to Taiwan in the years of emperors Tao-kuang and Hsien-feng in the Ching dynasty and soon won local people's favor. In the early years, puppet shows were so widespread that their popularity could be compared with that of Taiwanese Opera. Owing to the relatively small size of troupes and productions that were less expensive than other types of drama, it became very popular and was performed in annual festivals and god-receiving pageants. Thus this humorous form of folk performance could be seen all across Taiwan, both day and night.

The I Wan Jan Hand Puppet Theater is one of the most prestigious hand puppetry troupes in Taiwan. I Wan Jan was founded by Lee Tien-Lu in 1931. Although he retired in 1978, I Wan Jan still performs in Taiwan and abroad as a non-profit performance group. Through the years, I Wan Jan has been invited to perform in various countries worldwide to introduce the art of hand puppetry, and to promulgate the beauty of this age-old art form. It has performed in Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, the United States, Italy, France, Luxembourg, Holland, Germany, Belgium, Canada, England, Portugal, Morocco, Austria, and Mainland China, among others. In addition to performance, I Wan Jan also places a lot of importance on education and development, striving to continue the tradition of hand puppetry. Lee's apprentices have established various related troupes all over the world. Students of the I Wan Jan troupe system are spread far and wide around the world, assuring the continuation of the delicate art of Chang Chung Hsi.

• For more information on Hand Puppetry, please check the web page

• http://www.cyberstage.com.tw/story/folkarts_e/poppet/p1.htm.

• For more information on I Wan Jan Hand Puppet Theater, please check

• http://www.cyberstage.com.tw/english/framef05.htm.