The rhythmic beat of drums, the resounding clash of cymbals, and the vibrant spectacle of the lion dance - these elements come together to form a captivating cultural phenomenon known as the awaken lion dance. Originating as an auspicious lion, which sounds similar to"sleeping lion" in Chinese, this tradition transformed in the early 20th century when many lion dance troupes changed it to "awaken lion," hoping to awaken a dormant spirit, symbolizing the awakening of a nation.

In recent years, the awaken lion dance, now designated as a national intangible cultural heritage, has evolved into various innovative forms that have garnered the attention of a broader audience. From the classic lion dance scenes in the 1990s film "Once Upon a Time in China" to recent Chinese pop culture phenomena like the animated movie "I Am What I Am" and the ethnic dance drama "Awaken the Lion", a slew of artistic works centered around the awaken lion dance has gained a worldwide following, spreading the fame of the tradition far and wide.

In December 2021, "I Am What I Am" hit theaters, and search indices for terms like "lion dance" (lion dance) and "awaken lion dance" surged globally in tandem with its popularity. Many individuals, both in China and abroad, who had never been exposed to awaken lion dance culture before started showing interest. In particular, young people found themselves falling in love with this vibrant tradition and dedicating themselves to its preservation.

One such enthusiast is Xiaoyi, a Hunan native and avid anime lover. She had rarely encountered the awaken lion dance before stumbling upon "I Am What I Am". Xiaoyi's newfound passion for awaken lion dance led her to become a volunteer at the Guangdong Cultural Center (Guangdong Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center), where she wholeheartedly contributes to the preservation of this intangible heritage.

Hailing from Hebei, Cangfei also discovered it through the movie and decided to take it a step further. Not only did he purchase a lion costume for performances, but he also sought guidance from a master to immerse himself in the art of lion dance. Cangfei's mission extends beyond personal interest; he aims to introduce the lion dance to his local community, infusing new energy and enthusiasm into this rich cultural tradition. He emphasizes that not everyone needs to become a lion dancer, but increasing awareness and knowledge about customs and knowledge related to it can ensure its cultural heritage endures.

Movies serve as a powerful medium for introducing traditional art forms like the awaken lion dance to the general public. In the movie "I Am What I Am", the main character embarks on a journey to learn the art of lion dance. However, unlike the traditional storyline where the protagonist becomes a full-time lion dancer, this character's transformation is more akin to a "sickly cat" evolving into a "mighty lion." This unique narrative has served as a powerful source of inspiration for numerous young individuals. Through the movie, they've learned valuable lessons about how to perceive and overcome setbacks, ultimately emerging from adversity with greater resilience in their lives.

Xiaoyi believes that the awaken lion dance, although currently a niche interest, should first gain wider recognition and appreciation before it can be effectively passed down and enriched. She remarks, "The preservation of intangible cultural heritage should become part of our daily lives. Only when it is integrated into our contemporary existence can it find new vitality in the modern era, rather than merely existing as artifacts in museums."

从陌生到热爱，广东醒狮吸引越来越多年轻粉丝

醒狮醒国魂，击鼓振精神。醒狮原称瑞狮，但与睡狮音近。上个世纪初，不少舞狮队将“瑞狮”改为“醒狮”，希望“睡狮猛醒”，用舞狮的精气神来激励国民。

近年来，作为国家级非遗项目，广东的醒狮文化以越来越令人瞩目的新形式走进了更为广阔的大众视野，从三十年前的电影《黄飞鸿之狮王争霸》到近年来的国潮动漫《雄狮少年》、民族舞剧《醒·狮》，一系列以醒狮为题材的艺术作品吸引了海内外众多的观众，令醒狮的声名远播。

2021年12月，《雄狮少年》电影上映，“舞狮”“醒狮”等在全球的搜索指数也随着《雄狮少年》的热度而上升，许多海内外没接触过醒狮的人开始关注醒狮文化，也有年轻人因此爱上醒狮，并致力于醒狮非遗文化的保护。

作为一名二次元爱好者，湖南人小意一直很喜欢看动画，但此前却几乎未曾看过醒狮，直到看了动画《雄狮少年》后，她爱上了醒狮文化，还成为了一名广东省文化馆（广东省非物质文化遗产保护中心）的志愿者，并深耕非遗文化的保护。

来自河北的仓飞同样是因电影结缘醒狮，为此他不仅在网上购买了一个用于表演的醒狮，还拜在名师门下，潜心学习醒狮，希望带动身边人了解醒狮，为醒狮文化吸收新鲜血液。仓飞表示，不用让大家都来学习舞狮，只要有更多的人了解醒狮的习俗和知识，就能让文化得到传承。

电影作为一种大众传播形式，让醒狮这项非遗走进大众视野，用最浅显的方式将舞狮的魅力告诉更多普通观众。在电影《雄狮少年》中，主角学习舞狮后并没有成为全职的舞狮队员，从“病猫变成雄狮”的经历激励了很多年轻人，从《雄狮少年》中学会如何看待挫折，如何更加坚强地生活。

小意认为，醒狮现在只是小众的爱好，希望让醒狮先被更多人了解、喜欢，才能被更好地传承和发扬。“非遗保护要‘见人见物见生活’，只有非遗成为我们生活中的可参与的一部分，才能在新时代有新的生命力，而不仅仅是作为博物馆的文物把它保存下来”。小意说。

策划 | 孙爱群 吴江
统筹 | 刘佳宁 孙晶
文 | 羊城晚报全媒体记者 刘佳宁 孙绮曼 实习生 郑泳丹
图 | 受访者供图
翻译 | 刘佳慧
责编 | 王瑜瑛