Nan Kong, also called Southern Confucianism, China's first original musical centered on Southern Confucianism, will be performed at the 7th Ethnic Minority Art Festival of China, set to be held from late August to late September in Beijing.

Southern Confucianism, deeply rooted in Quzhou, Zhejiang province, represents a significant branch of Confucian culture.

The National Ethnic Minority Art Festival is a major public cultural event in China. Since its inception in 1980, the festival has played a vital role in promoting ethnic cultural prosperity and advancing national solidarity.

A still from the musical Nan Kong. [Photo/Tide News]

The seventh edition of the festival will feature around 50 artistic works in Beijing, including opera, dance drama, musicals, traditional opera, and concerts. These performances will showcase the latest developments in ethnic arts during the new era, promoting cultural integration and mutual appreciation among different ethnic groups.

Nan Kong recounts the tale of Kong Zhu (1231–91), the 53rd direct descendant of Confucius, who renounced his noble title and returned to Quzhou to dedicate himself to promoting Confucian culture, exemplifying Confucian virtues and the continuity of Chinese cultural heritage.

Since its premiere in 2023, the musical has been staged over 150 times across China and internationally, earning multiple national accolades.