China National Acrobatic Troupe's original production Time — Hoops Tumbling wins the top award during the World Circus Art Festival "IDOL-2026" in Moscow, Russia. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The China National Acrobatic Troupe has once again scaled the pinnacle of international circus arts. Their original production, Time — Hoops Tumbling, captivated both judges and audiences at the prestigious World Circus Art Festival "IDOL-2026" in Moscow, Russia, earning the festival's gold award.
This marks the troupe's 78th international gold medal in its 76-year history and follows its earlier triumph at the 16th Budapest International Circus Festival in Hungary, in January, where the production took home the top award.
This year's World Circus Art Festival "IDOL-2026" drew elite performers from around the globe. Time — Hoops Tumbling stood out for its flawless execution, profound philosophical depth, and innovative artistic expression, earning acclaim from both the jury and spectators.
The production is performed entirely by the troupe's younger generation, showcasing the China National Acrobatic Troupe's focus on cultivating young talent. The performers' precise timing, high-difficulty aerial maneuvers, and compelling stage presence translate the abstract concept of "time" into a mesmerizing fusion of visual spectacle and philosophical reflection.
[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Premiering in 2025 as a fully original creation, Time — Hoops Tumbling demonstrates the troupe's robust capacity for independent artistic production. Anchored in the motif of the circle, the show intertwines Eastern and Western philosophical ideals — reflecting the cyclical notions of time in traditional Chinese culture alongside the classical Greek concept of the circle as a symbol of perfection. Actors leap and twist through rolling hoops, embodying the dance of time and realizing the "harmony of humanity and nature" through acrobatic artistry.
