According to Gong Jicheng, vice-president of the center, the institution had to celebrate its birthday by holding online events from 2020 to 2022 due to COVID-19. A 12-hour "online arts festival", for example, was held to mark its 13th birthday.

"It's like a reunion with our audience. We feel very excited this year," Gong says.

Veteran actor-director Pu Cunxin and writer Liang Xiaosheng appeared at the celebration with their new books.

"It's a great delight to be an actor, not only because I can play different roles, which allow me to experience different lives, but also because I can get instant feedback from the audience," says Pu, who just wrapped up his latest performance in the drama, Jane Eyre, produced by the center based on English writer Charlotte Bronte's novel of the same title.

Pu, 70, has played the role of Rochester in the drama since 2009.The actor from the Beijing People's Art Theatre also read a chapter from his new book, titled Wo He Wode Juese (Me and My Roles), in which he recorded his decadeslong acting career.

Liang also met the audience at the center, with his new book, titled Ren Huozhe (Living), a prose collection of Liang. His award-winning novel Renshijian (A Lifelong Journey) has been adapted into a Chinese play, which was staged at the center.

Liang was impressed by the large audience for the center's 16th birthday. The 74-year-old says that he doesn't visit the venue regularly to watch performances, but he often passes by the iconic architecture. "It changes colors during the four seasons and has different looks during the daytime and the night," he adds.