A Minnan culture comedy show by performers from Fujian province entertained audiences in Kinmen on Saturday. The performance included stand-up comedy, sketches, Xiangsheng, and other traditional arts.
The event was held at Kinmen’s arts and culture center. It was organized jointly by Fujian associations focused on cultural promotion, tourism, and performing arts.
Minnan culture, its dialect, and everyday life were central to the performances. Shows humorously explored local customs, from weddings to folk religion, connecting Fujian and Kinmen through shared traditions.
Wei He, the host of the show and a comedy expert from Xiamen, Fujian, said most performers were visiting Kinmen for the first time. She shared that they initially worried whether the audience would enjoy their style. Once the show began, those concerns disappeared as the crowd responded enthusiastically.
The show attracted residents of all ages, including children, seniors, and university students. Many attended after seeing promotions on social media.
Tsan-yen, a 20-year-old student from Quemoy University, had never seen a live stand-up comedy show before. He attended with friends and said he especially enjoyed the Xiangsheng act about Minnan family letters. One part involved a performer mimicking a Douyin livestream sales pitch, which he found very funny.
“I also watch Douyin, so it felt familiar and entertaining,” Tsan-yen said.
Performers added Kinmen-specific elements to engage the audience further. The show included local treats such as tribute candy and kaoliang liquor. Traditional Minnan arts were performed in the dialect, making them easy for viewers to follow.
Hu Liwei, a 34-year-old marionette artist from Quanzhou, Fujian, performed a puppetry act called “The Little Monk’s Descent into the Mountain.” The piece was delivered entirely in Minnan dialect. Hu noted that the audience followed every line without subtitles, creating a lively atmosphere that exceeded expectations.
Hu has practiced marionette art for over 10 years. Quanzhou marionettes are a national intangible cultural heritage and have been popular in the region for at least a thousand years. They showcase many Minnan folk traditions and religious practices.
“There are many more interesting aspects of Quanzhou marionette art,” Hu said. “We hope to share more with Kinmen audiences in the future.”
The comedy show offered a rare blend of humor and cultural education, allowing locals and visitors to connect with Minnan traditions. By combining modern comedy with classical arts, the performers created a unique experience that celebrated the region’s shared cultural heritage.
Residents left the theater smiling, applauding, and talking about their favorite acts. Many expressed hope that similar cultural shows would continue in Kinmen, strengthening ties between Fujian and the island.
The event highlighted the vitality of Minnan culture and showed that traditional arts can thrive when presented in accessible, entertaining formats. Through laughter, puppetry, and relatable sketches, the Fujian performers successfully engaged audiences while preserving and sharing their cultural roots.
