The Anyang Cultural and Tourist Festival 2007, which opened on September 25, invites people to discover the mysteries of the Yin Ruins and the origin of I Ching (Book of Changes).

The month-long event will also showcase the rich and vibrant folk culture of the area, including acrobatics, fine arts, handicrafts, paper cuttings and local operas. Among these offerings, the stunning tai ge (platform-lifting) performance deserves special attention.

Children perform the roles of historical figures or fairytale characters while standing on a square podium carried by a troupe of walking people.

From a distance, the scene appears as if the youngsters are performing in mid-air, like immortals.

This acrobatic stunt, infused with legends, local opera, painting and paper sculpture, is called tai ge in North China and piao se in South China.

It is said that tai ge can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Period (770-221 BC). During this period, Confucius traveled among the states, and one day, he arrived in the turmoil-stricken area of Anyang. The sage was deeply moved by locals' hospitality and kindness.

On the day Confucius left the village, people saw him off by singing and dancing in accompaniment to drum beats. They also put children singers on desks and lifted them above their heads so Confucius could still see the performance from a distance.

From then on, the tradition was passed down through other festivals and rituals. It evolved, as folk artists replaced the desks with lighter wooden or metal racks and began decorating them with paper birds and flowers.

Eventually, the entire rack came to be covered by ornaments, props and performers' attire to create the visual effect of floating on air.

Some of the most impressive racks are made up of multiple tiers. Performers strike various poses on different branches extending from a steady trunk. Usually, long, colorful ribbons are fastened on the branches to help both performers and rack lifters keep their balance.

Tai ge is exclusively performed by children because they are lighter than adults, and locals believe they are blessed by gods. Youngsters who are particularly skilled in performing atop the racks enjoy great popularity among the community, and, as the locals say, make for ideal husbands- or wives-to-be.

Performances are often accompanied by clanging percussion, frenetic dances and many other activities, which makes for a grand show.

Editor: Cindy