Every summer, Avignon in southern France becomes a global gathering place for theatre lovers as it hosts one of the world's three major theatre festivals.

This year, the Avignon OFF Festival launched its inaugural "Tradition Renewed" section to showcase vibrant Chinese culture. A Quanzhou string puppetry troupe was invited to perform, and its production won the Prix de l'échange culturel (Best Cultural Exchange Award) at the Prix Lueur.

Staged at the Théâtre du Chêne Noir, the 60-minute performance featured seven classic and innovative pieces, showcasing the rich artistry of Quanzhou string puppetry—a tradition with more than 1,000 years of history.

The performance was warmly received by French audiences and artists alike. French artist Marion praised the puppeteers' exquisite craftsmanship, saying they brought the puppets vividly to life. As a universal art form, puppetry bridges cultural divides and conveys a shared artistic appeal across cultures.