The Twelve Revels in JiangNan
July 14th, 2025
On June 5th, 24 young contestants of the variety-show production Jiangnan: Twelve Gatherings made their collective debut. Witnessed by Han Zirong, Chairman of the Beijing Federation of Literary and Art Circles; Wang Chunmei, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Secretary-General of the China Theatre Association; together with head mentors Zhang Kaili, Winston Chao and Xu Li, the young talents staged performances in two forms: singing in traditional costumes and reciting ancient poems in modern attire. They held a time-travelling dialogue with 12 renowned historical figures from Jiangnan, officially establishing a first lesson for those "Learning Performers", during which each head mentor shared the paramount importance of learning.
Initiated in Beijing by China Drama Now, Jiangnan: Twelve Gatherings will be filmed in Wujiang District, Suzhou. Wujiang thrived thanks to the Grand Canal, while Beijing rose to prosperity along its waterways. Rooted in the Grand Canal as its spiritual core, the program showcases the delicate elegance of Jiangnan culture. Through national-wide dissemination of its "theatre + variety show" format, it enables audiences in Beijing and across the country to witness how Jiangnan culture resonates harmoniously with the broader Chinese civilisation. Its core ethos is to stand firmly in Jiangnan while embracing the whole of China — a thematic pursuit echoed by every head mentor and teaching assistant throughout the production from diverse perspectives.
Building China’s First "Learner Performer" Variety Training System
Framed by Chinese culture and animated by youthful growth, this pioneering learner-performer variety show leverages the accessible medium of variety entertainment to deliver an authentic journey of cultural exploration and truth-seeking. The program’s narrative framework draws inspiration from 12 iconic historical figures tied to Jiangnan, including military strategists, statesmen, astronomers, opera masters and revered physicians. Though each pursued distinct careers, they all dedicated their lives to noble ideals. Blended with lighthearted entertainment, the 24 contestants will step into the lives of these figures, immerse themselves in Jiangnan’s heritage, and guide audiences to perceive, study, comprehend and reflect on the profound power of Chinese civilisation.
The 24 trainees varied widely in age and academic backgrounds. While they might not all grow into preeminent performers, no distinguished artist can afford to overlook this foundational learning journey. Rather than treating history as a static exhibit, Jiangnan: Twelve Gatherings drewnourishment from historical legacies. On the show, daily necessities — clothing, food, housing and transportation — wedre far more than superficial cultural displays. They served as vessels for characters’ inner spirits, starting points to unfold personalities, and narrative threads that help contestants build mutual understanding between self and others.
The program also assembled an interdisciplinary team of mentors covering ideological & political education, psychology and law, establishing an innovative educational model for variety television. It aimed to guide every contestant to gain deeper self-awareness through the process of embodying another person.
Twenty-Four Disciples of Jiangnan Contemplate Twelve Historical Icons
After months of auditions, the 24 outstanding young participants were selected from 1,522 applicants domestically and internationally, ranging from 18 to 32 years old. The cast includes graduates from top arts academies such as the Central Academy of Drama and Beijing Dance Academy, overseas students from University of London, new-generation overseas Chinese from Ecuador, a former Marine Corps serviceman, and young actors from Taiwan, China. Diverse in stature and origins, every trainee a unique, recognisable persona.
Zhang Kaili, Chief Planner of the program, took part in the casting process. She shared: "We are looking for aspiring amateur performers, not just those with striking looks. Our trainees are ordinary people from all walks of life, and we hope their training will equip them to become representative artists of the general public." These young people do not seek fleeting fame through variety show exposure. Though hailing from disparate life paths, they converge to trace the cultural lineage of Jiangnan. Some will wander the classical gardens designed by Ji Cheng to grasp the cosmic philosophy embedded in rock formations and water layouts; some will step into Su Dongpo’s study to fathom the interplay of unrestrained optimism and quiet melancholy through his famous line "Ask what my life’s achievements aggregate"; some will linger at Wen Tianxiang’s memorial hall to feel how integrity forms the backbone of one’s character; others will stand beside Xu Lingtai’s medicinal stove, aligning modern rational thinking with ancient medical benevolence to seek the bond between medical art and human compassion.
Each contestant would delve into the lives of twelve historical figures: Fan Li, Zhang Han, Bai Juyi, Fan Zhongyan, Su Dongpo, Xin Qiji, Wen Tianxiang, Shen Jing, Ji Cheng, Yuan Liaofan, Wang Xichan and Xu Lingtai.
Learning Is a Lifelong Pursuit
The launch event was hosted by Chang Lei and Yan Shangjia. Head mentors Zhang Kaili, Winston Chao and Xu Li took the stage one after another, with Zhang Kaili also serving as the program’s Chief Planner. Before becoming an actor, Zhang Kaili was a speed skater, and her personal journey embodies the belief that learning lasts a lifetime. She stated that passion and talent are the two cornerstones of her transition from athlete to performing artist. Winston Chao worked as a flight attendant before embarking on his acting career. He noted that the trainees reminded him of his own early days as an untrained amateur performer, and encouraged them to read extensively, as rich literary characters will become invaluable references for their future performances. Xu Li, a seasoned news anchor, completed her own learning journey on the theatre stage, accomplishing the seemingly impossible by masterfully portraying the character Grandma Gu Ba on stage through consistent self-improvement.
Subsequently, three interdisciplinary mentors for ideological & political education, psychology and law — Chen Ning, Liu Fei and Zhou Junwu — appeared onstage. Chen Ning, former Party Secretary and Executive Vice Chairman of the Beijing Federation of Literary and Art Circles, explained that ideological and political lessons immerse contestants in real life, enabling them to cultivate comprehensive literacy and capabilities through learning from historical figures and traditional culture. Liu Fei elaborated on the dual functions of psychological guidance: to help trainees unwind after intense daily filming and competitions, and to teach practical psychological coping techniques. Zhou Junwu, an entertainment industry lawyer, emphasised that well-rounded artists must maintain sound mental health while abiding by clear legal boundaries. Four teaching assistants — Cheng Su, Kong Wei, Lin Lin and Li Zonglei — also shared their personal learning journeys on site.
Ru Yuelai, Curator of Suzhou Bay Museum, recalled the history of the Grand Canal. He remarked that the Grand Canal extended from north to south, making Beijing and Pingwang ideal shooting locations for the program. Pingwang of Wujiang was the watershed of the Jiangnan of the Grand Canal, where the waterway splits into three tributaries to form the spectacular confluence of four rivers. The evolution from "four converging wetlands" to "four converging waterways" represents not only geographical expansion but also the reshaping and rejuvenation of Jiangnan culture. This cross-city cultural gala linking Beijing and Suzhou is united by the Grand Canal as its spiritual bond, symbolising the in-depth integration of Wujiang — the "Pearl of the Canal" — and Beijing, the Canal’s northern starting point, within a new era. As two terminals of the Grand Canal, Beijing and Wujiang jointly witness the growth and learning of the 24 young talents featured in Jiangnan: Twelve Gatherings.
The rain has yet stopped in Jiangnan, the youth have set off on their journey. Stay tuned to follow their next story. Co-produced by China Drama Now, Damai Mailive, Youku and Wujiang Culture & Tourism Organization, the variety show will begin filming in Suzhou Wujiang at the end of June, and premiere on Youku and Zhejiang Satellite TV in early September. A stage musical of the same title will be produced and staged by outstanding students from the program by the end of this year.
Reposted from the WeChat Official Account of Ru Meng Theatre
