From June 01, 2026 to June 30, 2026
Shehuo is a traditional Chinese Spring Festival folk celebration. Originating from ancient people’s primitive worship of land and fire, it has evolved over thousands of years and become an indispensable part of China’s agricultural civilization. More than a festive ritual to ring in the new year, Shehuo preserves collective rural memories, bonds local communities, and serves as the spiritual anchor for generations of villagers.
However, this time-honored folk art is currently confronted with a severe inheritance crisis. Fueled by rapid urbanization, countless young rural laborers migrate to cities for better job opportunities, leaving most villages depopulated and aging. Spending most of their lives away from hometowns, the younger generation gradually loses connection with this age-old custom and fails to recognize its cultural value. Additionally, mastering Shehuo-related performing skills requires lengthy training with little economic return, so only a handful of people are willing to carry on this traditional craft. The festive gongs and drums that once reverberated across rural Northwest China are gradually fading into silence.
Even under such bleak circumstances, Shehuo performances still debut as scheduled in numerous towns and villages across Northwest China during every Spring Festival. Local people gather with sincere anticipation to embrace the annual grand celebration. They hope, watch and pray devoutly that the rural warmth, cultural connotation and profound folk heritage embedded in Shehuo can break the shackles of the times and thrive eternally in the modern era.
Chris Yan is a photographer and creative director born in Beijing in 1981. He earned his degree in Art and Design from the Communication University of China. Early in his career, he served as Art Director and Creative Director at renowned international advertising agencies, including Dentsu, JWT and Leo Burnett. In 2013, Chris established his own studio, where he focused on commercial design and artistic creation, and officially embarked on his photographic journey. Centering his practice on humanistic documentary and street photography, he has traveled across diverse countries over the past decade to capture authentic social moments. Currently, he resides and works in Beijing.
