Wenhua Award presented at 14th China Arts Festival closing

The Wenhua Award, China's top national honor for professional stage productions, was presented on Tuesday night during the closing ceremony of the 14th China Arts Festival at Chongqing Grand Theatre.

Fifteen productions received the Wenhua Performance Award, and another 15 earned the Wenhua Program Award. Creators and performers from 23 productions were also recognized across several categories, including screenwriting, directing, music, and stage design. The ceremony featured highlights from this year's winning stage works.

The final evaluation for the Wenhua Award took place between September and October in Sichuan province and Chongqing municipality. It was the first time the two regions jointly hosted the event, part of broader efforts to develop the Bashu Cultural Tourism Corridor.

Earlier the same day, the 20th Qunxing Award ceremony honored outstanding amateur works, with 60 productions recognized in six categories: music, dance, drama, folk art, square dancing, and choral singing. This event also marked the first joint hosting of the Qunxing Award by Sichuan and Chongqing.

Co-organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Chongqing municipal government, and the Sichuan provincial government, the 14th China Arts Festival brought together hundreds of professional troupes and community art groups from across the country. The festival featured more than 100 stage productions, over 170 community art performances, and an exhibition of more than 1,100 works of fine art, calligraphy, engraving, and photography.

A Youth Art Creation Week was also launched, hosting 22 events that drew nearly 100,000 participants and encouraged young people to create and share new artistic work. Festival activities will continue through the end of the year.

The next China Arts Festival, the 15th edition, is scheduled for 2028 and will be co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Henan provincial government.