CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- From 1938 to 1945, Chongqing, China’s wartime capital, witnessed a vigorous dramatic movement in the history of Chinese drama. This period was called the golden days for the development of Chinese drama.

Recently, as the first professional drama museum with the theme of Anti-Japanese War drama in China, built by Chongqing Drama Arts Center through 4 years, Chongqing Anti-Japanese War Drama Museum has been opened for trial operation. It will remind you of the glorious and unforgettable golden days.

Chongqing Anti-Japanese War Drama History Exhibition

Chongqing Anti-Japanese War Drama Museum is located in Zhongshan No. 1 Road, Yuzhong District. It consists of three parts: the Kangjiantang Theater (Anti-Japanese War Drama Theater), the Chongqing Anti-Japanese War Drama History Exhibition and the Exhibition & Performance Experience Zone (under construction), with a total area of about 3,000 square meters.

Exterior of Kangjiantang Theater (Picture provided by Chongqing Drama Arts Center)

Chongqing Anti-Japanese War Drama History Exhibition is divided into eight units, such as the Anti-Japanese War drama group, the Anti-Japanese War drama celebrities, the Anti-Japanese War famous dramas, the historical achievements of the Anti-Japanese War drama. It systematically displays the historical features, historical contributions and artistic achievements of Chongqing anti-Japanese war drama through rich texts, pictures, objects and real-life models.

Kangjiantang Theater

Kangjiantang Theater: Holy hall of Chinese drama

In 1940, Chongqing theater resources were scarce. In April, Guo Moruo, the director of the Third Division of the Political Department of the National Military Council, and the director secretary Yang Hansheng proposed to Zhou Enlai to build a special theater for drama performances. Therefore, the Kangjiantang Theater was born.

Interior of Kangjiantang Theater (Picture provided by Chongqing Drama Arts Center)

On April 5, 1941, Kangjiantang Theater was officially completed. When the President of the National Government, Lin Sen, inscribed “Kangjiantang” for the theater by taking the wartime slogan “Win the Anti-Japanese War, and Construct the Country”.

Corridor of Kangjiantang Theater (Picture provided by Chongqing Drama Arts Center)

From April 1941 to 1945, in the Kangjiantang Theater were staged 33 large-scale dramas, Cao Yu's “Transformation”, “Beijing People”, Wu Zuguang's “Latecomer in the Snow”, Guo Moruo's “Kerria Japonica”, and other classic plays. Zhang Jian said, “These immortal works of art are indelible in the history of Chinese drama. The Kangjiantang Theater has also been called the Holy hall of Chinese Drama by many witnesses of Anti-Japanese War dramas.”

Interior of the Museum (Picture provided by Chongqing Drama Arts Center)

The museum accepts group reservation visiting during the trial operation and is open to visitors who hold tickets for the performance of the Kangjiantang Theater on the same day free of charge. The museum is scheduled to officially open on December 18, 2019. (Translated by Bai Fengling, Fathom Language Limited)