NEW: VANISHING TRADITIONS : ACROBATS: Hesse_acrobats_china000

A young apprentee balances a drum during daily training in Wuqiao, ChinaAcrobatic performances belong to Chinas variety arts and have existed for centuries. Acrobats originally were to entertain poor villagers in the countryside. Nowadays it's a profession for young people from the countryside seeking a better life in China's big cities where they lead a life as outcasts. Their monthly income is not enough to participate in social life , let alone to have private lifes. The troupes often live together in basic housing such as dorms and it's difficult to break out.

A young apprentee balances a drum during daily training in Wuqiao, China 

Acrobatic performances belong to Chinas variety arts and have existed for centuries. Acrobats originally were to entertain poor villagers in the countryside. Nowadays it's a profession for young people from the countryside seeking a better life in China's big cities where they lead a life as outcasts. Their monthly income is not enough to participate in social life , let alone to have private lifes. The troupes often live together in basic housing such as dorms and it's difficult to break out.