China National Theater for Children and the Palace Museum Wins China Art Festival Cultural Grand Prize
‘The Cat God in the Forbidden City’ Wins Top Honour at China Art Festival
‘The Cat God in the Forbidden City’ Wins Top Honour at China Art Festival
China’s beloved song-and-dance drama takes home the Wenhua Grand Prize, marking another milestone for children’s theatre and cultural storytelling.
A whiskered hero has stolen the spotlight in one of China’s most prestigious cultural arenas. The Cat God in the Forbidden City — the charming song-and-dance drama co-produced by the China National Theater for Children (CNTC) and the Palace Museum — has officially won the Wenhua Grand Prize at the 14th China Art Festival in Chongqing.
Told entirely from the eyes of a palace cat, the production blends playfulness with emotional depth, guiding audiences through themes of friendship, memory, and China’s timeless cultural heritage. It is a modern theatrical work that celebrates the Forbidden City as more than a historical site — portraying it as a living world full of stories, spirits, and intergenerational connections.
This latest win marks the ninth Wenhua Grand Prize for CNTC, strengthening the theatre’s reputation as one of the nation’s most consistent producers of award-winning children’s stage works.
A Touring Sensation Across China
Since premiering in December 2023, The Cat God in the Forbidden City has been performed nearly 170 times across more than 30 cities and counties, attracting young audiences and theatre lovers nationwide. Critics have praised its ability to merge classical Chinese aesthetics with contemporary storytelling, while families have resonated with its gentle exploration of companionship and the passage of time.
Beijing audiences will get another chance to experience the production, with three additional performances scheduled at CNTC on November 29–30.
A Story Rooted in Creativity and Cultural Legacy
The drama is written by Feng Li — president of the China National Opera & Dance Drama Theater and former CNTC president — who also authored the children’s book on which the production is based. Over her 11 years at the theatre, Feng has helped shape more than 50 original works; The Cat God in the Forbidden City stands as one of the most polished expressions of that creative journey.
CNTC Party Chief Zhang Yansheng shared that this national recognition reaffirms the theatre’s commitment to producing meaningful performing-arts content for children and young people. The institution aims to continue developing original stage works rooted in Chinese traditions while keeping them emotionally resonant for today’s generation.
A Heartwarming Cultural Moment
With its national acclaim and growing fan base, The Cat God in the Forbidden City is quickly becoming one of China’s most celebrated cultural exports — a gentle reminder that even through the quiet footsteps of a cat, heritage can be shared, felt, and reimagined for audiences around the world.
