story telling

last year, i posted images of the huaqiangbei christmas pumpkin. this year, i’ve decided to post pictures of yang qian performing one of his favorite roles–santa at the kindergarten. we improvized the beard last minute and the result was something like santa meets beijing opera. the big red nose, square beard, and rounded eyes echo, albeit faintly, the conventions for clown roles.

we’ve approached debates on whether or not chinese people should celebrate christmas in the spirit of kindergarten, where whatever you do or don’t believe, it’s a wonderful thing to give gifts to children.