Suining Acrobatic Troupe’s “Blooming · Bowl Balancing” Wins the 12th China Acrobatic Golden Chrysanthemum Award
On September 19, the results of the 12th China Acrobatic Golden Chrysanthemum Award National Acrobatic Competition were announced in Puyang, Henan Province. Recommended by the Sichuan Acrobats Association, Blooming · Bowl Balancing, an acrobatic production created and performed by the Suining Acrobatic Troupe, successfully won the China Acrobatic Golden Chrysanthemum Award.
This achievement marks another major milestone in Sichuan’s ongoing efforts to create outstanding artistic works and pursue excellence in the performing arts. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Culture and aligned with the goals of building Sichuan into a culturally strong province, the production was developed as part of the province’s artistic excellence initiative.
Using traditional bowl-balancing techniques as its artistic foundation, the performance incorporates the aesthetics of Bashu into its stage narrative. Through acrobatic art, it tells stories of contemporary China and Sichuan, highlighting the vitality and creativity of Bashu’s performing arts.
The China Acrobatic Golden Chrysanthemum Award is the highest professional award in China’s acrobatic arts. Established with central government approval, it is organized by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the China Acrobats Association. Since its establishment in 1997, the award has been presented once every three years. Eleven editions have been successfully held, with more than 400 awards presented to date.
The 12th China Acrobatic Golden Chrysanthemum Award National Acrobatic Competition, held alongside the 6th China Acrobatic Arts Festival, took place in Puyang, Henan Province. Under the theme “Connecting Ancient and Modern Skills, Celebrating Art Across Five Continents,” the event brought together 26 leading acrobatic troupes from across China, each presenting outstanding productions in competition.
A total of 10 acrobatic productions ultimately received the Golden Chrysanthemum Award. The judging process emphasized the integration of ideological depth, artistic quality, and audience appeal. It encouraged creators to draw on China’s outstanding traditional culture while pursuing innovation rooted in tradition.
The competition promoted the transformation of traditional acrobatics from a focus on technical demonstrations toward an approach that integrates skill with artistry and combines technique with emotion. It also aimed to develop contemporary acrobatic works that demonstrate depth of thought, artistic excellence, and high production quality.
Blooming · Bowl Balancing is a classic acrobatic production created by the Suining Acrobatic Troupe, featuring a distinctive Eastern aesthetic. Rooted in China’s traditional bowl-balancing art, which has a history of more than 2,000 years, the production preserves traditional techniques while breaking new ground in performance.
With exceptional balance and extensive technical training, the performers use porcelain bowls as props to showcase a series of demanding movements, including stacking bowls on their heads, handstand balancing, and contortion poses.
Throughout the performance, the porcelain bowls remain steady without falling as the performers execute intricate lifts and flowing movements. Combining strength and grace, the production brings together thrilling acrobatic techniques and the gentle beauty of Eastern aesthetics, allowing this ancient intangible cultural heritage to shine like a golden chrysanthemum in autumn.
Bowl balancing is one of the Suining Acrobatic Troupe’s signature disciplines. The troupe has never stopped advancing in its efforts to preserve, develop, and innovate this traditional art form.
This honor follows the troupe’s achievements in recent years. In 2025, Dancing Splendor · Bowl Balancing won the Golden Lion Award at the 20th China Wuqiao International Circus Festival. In 2026, Brilliant Radiance · Bowl Balancing won both the Golden Clown Award and the Youth Gold Award at the 48th Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival.
With Blooming · Bowl Balancing, the troupe has continued to pursue breakthroughs, further refine its production, comprehensively reshape its performance, and push the boundaries of bowl-balancing artistry. It has now achieved another major award.
From the Golden Lion Award in Wuqiao to the two gold awards in Monte Carlo, and now the Golden Chrysanthemum Award, the Suining Acrobatic Troupe has continued to develop and refine its approach to traditional bowl balancing. Through repeated adjustments, ongoing innovation, and diverse artistic practices, the troupe introduced substantial changes to selected stage elements and acrobatic techniques.
These efforts ultimately resulted in what the troupe describes as a “Grand Slam” of major domestic and international acrobatic awards.
As a privately operated acrobatic troupe belonging to the “Two New” sector, the Suining Acrobatic Troupe competed alongside state-owned troupes at major competitions and distinguished itself among its peers. This achievement demonstrates the strength and artistic standards of Sichuan acrobatics.
It also represents a significant breakthrough in the professional recognition of privately operated performing arts organizations in Sichuan, highlighting their continued progress in preserving tradition, pursuing innovation, and reaching new artistic heights.
A New Chapter for Sichuan Acrobatics
With the Golden Chrysanthemum shining brightly, a new artistic journey begins.
Winning the 12th China Acrobatic Golden Chrysanthemum Award with Blooming · Bowl Balancing marks a new milestone in the development of Sichuan’s acrobatic arts.
At this new starting point, Sichuan’s acrobatic community will continue to uphold a people-centered approach to artistic creation, preserve its cultural roots, and strive for artistic excellence. It will continue producing outstanding acrobatic works that reflect the distinctive character of Bashu and the spirit of the times.
Through acrobatics as a bridge, the industry will tell Chinese and Sichuan stories, convey the spirit of the times through captivating stage performances, and contribute the strength of acrobatic art to the development of a culturally strong Sichuan.
Tong Ronghua
We are deeply encouraged and proud to have won the China Acrobatic Golden Chrysanthemum Award. This honor would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of all our performers, day after day, or the care and support of the literary and art federations and acrobatic associations at the provincial and municipal levels.
The Golden Chrysanthemum Award is the highest honor in China’s acrobatic arts. It represents not only recognition but also an incentive to continue moving forward.
Rooted in the land of Bashu, Suining acrobatics has spent many years preserving tradition while pursuing innovation and integrating traditional acrobatic techniques with local Sichuan culture.
Looking ahead, we will continue to focus on production development, refine outstanding works, and promote the creative transformation and innovative development of acrobatic art. We will also strengthen talent development, continue to enhance Sichuan’s acrobatic arts identity, and help Bashu acrobatics reach audiences across China and beyond.
Through outstanding artistic works, we hope to tell Chinese stories and repay the affection and expectations of audiences who support us.
Jike Jinsha
Winning the China Acrobatic Golden Chrysanthemum Award fills me with excitement and gratitude. Behind this honor are years of hard work, sweat, and perseverance.
Acrobatic training is extremely demanding. Countless falls, repeated practice, and injuries have become part of everyday life. There have also been moments of exhaustion when I considered giving up.
However, my love for acrobatics, together with the encouragement of my team and teachers, gave me the strength to continue.
Standing on the stage of the Golden Chrysanthemum Award is not only recognition of me personally, but also an affirmation of Suining acrobatics.
In the future, I will remain true to my original aspirations, continue to train hard, and perform every part of each production with dedication. I will work to preserve and pass on the art of acrobatics and give back to everyone who cares about and supports this art through more outstanding performances.
