Dazzling! China’s traditional molten iron fireworks to be showcased in Spring Festival Gala

The throwing of blazing molten iron, a daring and dazzling firework that’s unique to central China’s Henan, is to be brought to the stage for this year’s Spring Festival Gala.

Molten iron firework of Queshan County is the only remaining large-scale traditional folk firework in Henan Province. Performer scoops up hot molten iron with a small spoon and throws into the air, then immediately uses the wooden shovel held by other hand to tap the hot molten iron open that dispersing to the surroundings like a dazzling firework with amazing bright sparkles.

This type of folk art originated from Song Dynasty prospered in Qing Dynasty. Different from other regions’ molten iron performances, Queshan’s roots in a ritual culture shared by people in China’s central plains. During the 1900s, it once faced extinction because of the hard technic, high dangers and low profits. However, with the efforts of some blacksmith workers, the performing team has been enlarged to 40 people.

Nowadays, Queshan molten iron firework performance is facing commercial shocks. Should it be preserved as the traditional performing art or intergrade with modern culture and become commercialization? It remains as a question.