UPDATE: Yulin Celebrity Concert in Limbo Amid Growing Concerns Over Dog Meat “Festival” Perception

The two celebrities circled have dropped out of the Yulin concert

Just days ago, we shared news of what looked like a major shift in Yulin — a high-profile celebrity concert scheduled for June 21, the same date as the city’s notorious Dog Meat “Festival.” The concert was planned by the Yulin government and local sponsors as an alternative cultural event, designed to draw attention away from the cruel, shameful “festival” and toward something more positive: music, art, and community.

But yesterday we received a significant update.

Two of the four Beijing celebrities originally scheduled to perform have pulled out of the concert. According to sources close to the situation, they are concerned about being misperceived as supporters of the Dog Meat “Festival.” As of now, it is unclear whether the concert will go on as planned.

This news is disappointing — but not entirely surprising.

Local Chinese animal advocates, whose tireless efforts we deeply admire, have voiced serious concern that a celebrity-studded event might inadvertently bring the wrong kind of attention to the “festival.” Their fears are valid and deeply rooted. They, like us, want to see the Dog Meat “Festival” end once and for all, and they worry that the wrong message could be sent.

We’re moved by their passion, their commitment, and their courage to speak up — even when the situation is complex.

At the same time, we’re concerned about the potential long-term implications of this turn of events. The Yulin government did something unusual — even bold — by inviting celebrities from Beijing to participate in a new kind of Summer Solstice event. According to our trusted sources, their intention was clear: to provide an alternative event that could shift public focus away from the horror of the Dog Meat “Festival.” 

This is one of the first times the Yulin government has publicly attempted to show the outside world a different side of the city. If this concert falls apart, we worry it could discourage future efforts to open up, to listen, and to change.

This photo shows signs of the stage construction continuing in Yulin.

And yet, hope remains.

Other alternative events are still moving forward — this excerpt from a promotional flier was just sent to us from a local activist. “Come participate in acrobatic skill training experiences, magic trick tutorials, quiz competitions with prizes, and fun interactive games enhanced by modern technology. We are promoting the dual empowerment of 'civilization' and 'modern technology,' enriching the spiritual and cultural life of our community, to advance a new trend of civilization.” 

These alternative events represent the beginning of something new. They show that not all of Yulin supports the brutality of the “festival.” They show that progress, however complicated, is possible.

We’ll continue to keep you updated as this situation develops. In the meantime, we stand with the brave activists in China who are fighting every day to protect animals, and we thank you for standing with us.

Change is never easy. But it is happening.

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