The art of painting pictures with words

"They usually performed without a script, relying on memory and improvisational skills. It is not only a form of entertainment but also a way to preserve local history and mythology. It is deeply tied to the oral tradition of rural China, where literacy was historically limited, and stories were passed down through the spoken word," says He.

Before learning to perform as a storyteller, He received two years of training in daoqing, a traditional performing art that combines storytelling, singing and acting.

His experience performing daoqing helped him develop his own style as a storyteller, and he is skilled in acting and imitation. His voice rises and falls with excitement, allowing the audience to feel the tension in every story.

"My father was against my idea of becoming a storyteller, but I insisted. He told me that it was for the blind," He says.

Shaanbei storytelling is an important way for many blind people in Shaanxi province to make a living, especially in rural areas. Since it is oral, it is well-suited to individuals who cannot rely on sight. One of the best-known blind storytellers from Shaanxi was Han Qixiang (1915-89), who lost his sight at the age of 3 from smallpox and learned the art when he was 13. He is credited with creating more than 500 stories, especially heroic tales about Red Army soldiers. In 1946, Han performed for Chairman Mao Zedong, who gave him a sanxian as a gift. In 1978, he founded the Yan'an Quyi Performance Theater and became its first director, dedicating himself to training storytellers and popularizing the art form.

Qiao Yangwen, 45, is also a Shaanbei storyteller at the Yan'an Quyi Performance Theater. Born in a small village in Yulin, Shaanxi province, he dropped out of school when he was 16 and became a storyteller.