Wuqiao acrobatics has a long history. As early as the Northern and Southern Dynasties, acrobatics here had a considerable scale. However, Wuqiao acrobatics enjoyed a high reputation in the whole country after the Yuan Dynasty. After more than 1000 years of inheritance and development, Wuqiao acrobatics has become more and more exquisite, with more complete categories, and many famous acrobatic celebrities have emerged at home and abroad.
There are many kinds of acrobatics majors in Wuqiao. In the mid-Ming Dynasty, Wuqiao acrobatics gradually formed two schools: one school centered on Beimou Township, known as the "East School", and later gradually spread to Ningjin, Nanpi and other counties; One school, based in Cangshang Township and Fantun Township, is called the "Western School". Later, the Western faction became powerful and spread to wuqiao county. In western schools, it is divided into many categories, among which "Liujiamen", "Qijiamen" and "Taojiamen" are the most famous. "Liujiamen" was formed in the middle of Ming Dynasty, and it is good at martial arts and equestrian. In addition to martial arts, this traditional program also includes skewers, three-legged sketches, jacking sketches and knife gates. During the Xianfeng period of the Qing Dynasty (1851-1861), Liu Yonggui, the head of the company, founded equestrian, and the most prominent program was Guan Gong Split. He absorbed drama art into acrobatic performances, making acrobatic art more colorful. Qijiamen was formed in the late Ming Dynasty, and its unique art is "invigorating", "boring children" and "stabbing children". Later, "Qigong" was created, and Kung Fu was unique. "Taojiamen" was founded in the early Qing Dynasty, and its main skills are antique tricks and "life-saving fishing", which is the predecessor of illusion and magic now. At first, each door was clearly defined and unique. By the end of the Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic of China, all factions had learned from each other, learned from each other's strong points and gradually merged into one. In the sixth year of the Republic of China (19 17), Sun Fuyou recruited elites from all walks of life and joined forces to form a huge acrobatic group. According to their specialties, they are divided into four categories: martial arts, juggling, animal training (including equestrian) and magic. Later, on the basis of these four categories, Wuqiao acrobatics became more and more detailed, with numerous names and countless names.
According to the survey, in the early years of the Republic of China, Wuqiao acrobatics can be divided into thirteen types: first, martial arts; Second, top technology; Third, oral skills; Fourth, pedaling skills; Fifth, hand skills; Sixth, driving skills; 7. Circus; Eight, high-altitude programs; Nine, step on the line; X. Drilling technology; Eleven, mouth twist; Twelve, magic; Thirteen. Others (such as kicking shuttlecock and shaking diabolo). To sum up, it includes martial arts, juggling, animal training and illusion.
Nowadays, Wuqiao Acrobatics has created and transformed many new programs on the original basis, such as lion dance, dragon dance, hoop dance, colored silk dance, flag waving, flying board, trapeze, double-decker swing, mental burden, trapeze, flying over the wall, large-scale magic and so on.
Historically, wuqiao county has produced many famous acrobats. In the Qing Dynasty alone, Wuqiao created many famous acrobats and families at home and abroad. For example, Mu, a giant bear juggler who was appreciated by the Ethiopian emperor and won a gold medal in the Five Dynasties, Yao Zhenkui, an old-timer of China folk acrobatics who performed in the palace for many times, and an acrobatic master who founded the first drama in China and is famous in Southeast Asia, are all acrobatic artists of Wuqiao nationality.
At present, there are Wuqiao acrobats in acrobatic troupes all over the country and in acrobatic troupes in 28 countries around the world, so there is a saying in the domestic acrobatic circles that "there is no acrobatic class without Wuqiao people". At present, there are 29 acrobatic troupes with more than 900 actors in wuqiao county.
Based on the far-reaching influence of Wuqiao acrobatics at home and abroad and its extensive mass base, China Wuqiao International Acrobatic Art Festival named after Wuqiao was held in 1987, 1989, 19 1 65438. 1999,2001), * * Acrobats from nearly 100 countries in five continents, including Asia, Africa, Europe, the United States and Australia, participated in the World Acrobatic Festival. Acrobatic Festival is held once a year, usually in the last week of June or the first week of June. The venue of the competition is Shijiazhuang, the provincial capital. The Acrobatic Festival takes Cangzhou Iron Lion "Zhenhai Roar" as the model, and the green color symbolizing peace and friendship as the background color, making the festival emblem, with golden lion, silver lion and bronze lion awards. This move not only promoted acrobatic exchanges between China and foreign countries, but also promoted the all-round development of Hebei's foreign culture and society. (Hebei Quyi)