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0He Lianshan became intrigued with Shaanbei storytelling when he was a teenager. He attended many performances in informal community settings, such as village gatherings, markets and temple fairs, which allowed him to engage directly with the performers. His favorite stories are from the classic novel Journey to the West. After watching a performance, he would imitate the performers and retell the stories at home.
贺连善从青少年起对陕北说书艺术怀有浓厚兴趣。他频繁参与各类民间演出活动，在村社集会、集市、庙会等非正式场合近距离接触说书艺人，尤其钟爱《西游记》这一经典故事题材。看完演出后，他常在家中模仿艺人表演，复述故事。
" They usually performed without a script, relying on memory and improvisational skills. It is not only a form of entertainment but also a way to preserve local history and mythology. It is deeply tied to the oral tradition of rural China, where literacy was historically limited, and stories were passed down through the spoken word," says He.
贺连善介绍道："说书艺人通常无需剧本，凭借记忆和即兴发挥进行表演。这不仅是一种娱乐形式，更是保存地方历史和神话传说的重要方式。说书和中国农村的口述传统紧密联系，由于历史上识字率较低，许多故事正是通过口耳相传得以延续。"
Shaanbei storytelling is an important way for many blind people in Shaanxi province to make a living, especially in rural areas. Since it is oral, it is well-suited to individuals who cannot rely on sight. One of the best-known blind storytellers from Shaanxi was Han Qixiang (1915-89), who lost his sight at the age of 3 from smallpox and learned the art when he was 13. He is credited with creating more than 500 stories, especially heroic tales about Red Army soldiers.
陕北说书是陕西省许多盲人，尤其是农村地区盲人的重要谋生手段。作为一种口头艺术形式，它特别适合视觉障碍者从事。陕西最著名的盲人说书艺人韩起祥（1915-1989）就是其中的杰出代表。他3岁时因天花失明，13岁开始学习说书艺术，一生创作了500多个故事，其中以红军英雄事迹最为著名。
Qiao Yangwen, 45, is also a Shaanbei storyteller. Born in a small village in Yulin, Shaanxi province, he dropped out of school when he was 16 and became a storyteller. For Qiao, the appeal of Shaanbei storytelling isn't just in the stories but in the emotional connection with the audience. The rhythmic chanting, the way the storyteller's voice brings characters to life, and the spontaneity of oral performance make it feel like a shared experience.
45岁的乔仰文也是一位陕北说书艺人。他出生于陕西省榆林市的一个小村庄，16岁辍学后开始学习说书艺术。对乔仰文而言，陕北说书的魅力不仅在于故事本身，更在于与观众建立的情感联结。富有节奏的吟唱、说书人赋予角色生命力的嗓音，以及口头表演的即兴发挥，都使得说书表演成为一种独特的共享体验。
" It transcends the need for visuals. We are not just telling a story; we are living in it. The voice paints pictures in the audience's minds — there is laughter, anger and tragedy — all through the voice alone," he says.
"这种艺术形式超越了视觉的局限。我们不仅仅是在讲述故事，更是身临其境地演绎着故事。通过声音，我们在听众脑海中描绘出画面——欢笑声、愤怒声、悲剧情节——所有这一切都仅通过声音来传达，"他说道。
However , like many traditional art forms, Shaanbei storytelling is struggling to find a place in today's fast-paced, screen-centric society. One of the biggest challenges artists face is the decline in young people taking up the craft. In fact, both He and Qiao have expressed deep concern over the lack of youth interested in learning storytelling.
然而，与许多传统艺术形式一样，陕北说书在当今这个快节奏、以电子屏幕为主导的社会中很难寻找一席之地。说书人面临的最大挑战之一，就是从事这门技艺的年轻人越来越少。事实上，年轻人对学习说书缺乏兴趣，贺连善和乔仰文对此都表示了深切担忧。
Despite the challenges, both men are dedicated to keeping the tradition alive. They have taken it to schools, giving students a glimpse of the ancient art and stoking their interest, though progress has been slow. "We create new stories relevant to the lives of the young. We also make the performances more interactive. We want to remind people of the enduring power of storytelling, a tradition that is never silent," Qiao says.
尽管面临诸多挑战，两位艺人都致力于传承这一传统艺术。他们走进校园，让学生们领略这门古老艺术的魅力，激发他们的兴趣，然而进展缓慢。"我们创作与年轻人生活相关的新故事，同时让表演更具互动性。我们想让大众领略说书艺术持久不衰的魅力，这是一门永远不会沉寂的传统艺术，"乔仰文说道。
