英语新闻视频：第21届国际木偶节于成都开幕

Puppets and shadow puppets have a long history in China. But the ancient art of puppetry is another of China’s ancient traditions that’s under threat from the modern age. Now, the puppets are fighting back! More than 1,500 of them are showing at the 21st World Puppetry Festival in Southwest China’s Chengdu City.
Entering the hall, you’re met by an imposing¹ sight. It is copy of a Han dynasty puppet, dating back some two thousand years.
Guide Luo Ting said, "It’s nearly 2 meters tall, and made of 13 bits of wood. Each joint² in its legs and arms can move. Some scholars believe it was the first ever string puppet."
In 1950s, tens of thousands of puppet and shadow play troupes³ would travel across China. But now, there are only 30 functioning groups.
The puppets are under threat...
Li Mingbin, Vice⁴ President of Chengdu Museum, said, "As a museum, we consider it our obligation to save this endangered ancient art from being lost. "
This ancient art reached its height in the Song and Qing dynasties, when every region had its own style.
Craftsmen⁵ would bring the delicate works to life, to dance to the music of the times.
Those passing on their puppetry skills hope the thousands of puppets gathered in Chengdu might be able to lead an attack... and turn around the fortunes of China’s strange and wonderful "wooden army".
 

1 imposing   

adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的

参考例句：

• The fortress is an imposing building.这座城堡是一座宏伟的建筑。
• He has lost his imposing appearance.他已失去堂堂仪表。

2 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

3 troupes   

n. （演出的）一团, 一班 vi. 巡回演出

参考例句：

• There are six Kunqu opera troupes left in the country. 整个国家现在只剩下六个昆剧剧团。
• Note: Art performance troupes include within and outside of the system. 注：艺术表演团体统计口径调整为含系统内、系统外两部分。

4 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

5 craftsmen   

n. 技工

参考例句：

• rugs handmade by local craftsmen 由当地工艺师手工制作的小地毯
• The craftsmen have ensured faithful reproduction of the original painting. 工匠保证要复制一幅最接近原作的画。