Folk games: a window on old Shanghai

By Yang Jian  |   2009-6-24  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

VISITORS to the Shanghai World Expo may be able to take part in Shanghai's traditional longtang games, including hoop-rolling, shuttlecock kicking - in which players use their feet to keep a shuttlecock in the air - marbles and rubber-band skipping, which were popular in the city decades ago.

The folk games can help Expo visitors understand Shanghai, Zhu Yonglei, deputy director general of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, told a public forum yesterday.

The third Expo district forum, themed around Shanghai's traditional culture, was held in the city's Confucius Temple in Huangpu District, and demonstrations of the old games were the most popular attractions.

Antique furniture, old postcards and cheongsam dresses were also exhibited.

Demonstrations of folk art and activities from China and other participating countries will be held in the Expo's ceremonial square along the Huangpu River, Hu Jinjun, another deputy director of the bureau, said.

The organizer began to gather information about cultural sports and performances from Chinese people late last month.

The Expo will stage more than 20,000 performances by the organizer and participants throughout the event.