CMG's Mid-Autumn Festival Gala celebrates traditions, honors wartime heroes

China Media Group (CMG)'s much-anticipated Mid-Autumn Festival Gala was aired on Monday, captivating global audience with its poetic and artistic celebrations of the festival, and paying tribute to wartime heroes.

The gala, known as "Qiuwan" in Chinese, was filmed in southwest China's Deyang City in Sichuan Province, home to the 3,000-year-old archaeological site of Sanxingdui, a revolutionary 20th-century find that has unveiled new clues about the brilliance and sophistication of early Chinese civilization. Unfolded in three chapters, the gala incorporated innovative narrative formats, such as outdoor filming and micro-documentaries, to enhance its audiovisual effects.

The opening segment, "Full Moon over the Mountains," weaved together natural landscapes, cultural heritage and lyrical nostalgia in a visually enchanting broadcast.

In the eye-opening performance "Bronze", dancers and humanoid robots shared the stage in an elegant dialogue spanning millennia. Iconic Sanxingdui artifacts, including the sacred bronze tree and towering bronze figure, served as a stunning backdrop, merging the mystique of ancient Shu civilization dating back more than 3,000 years with futuristic technology in a seamless, immersive spectacle.

Themed "My Hometown", the second segment featured about ten performances that conveyed feelings of longing for home, loved ones and family, as well as the self-striving spirit of individuals and a sense of national unity.

One of the highlights was a micro-documentary that authentically narrated the resilience and courage of people in Deyang City in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in 2008.

The third segment, themed "Full Moon in Autumn," not only amazed viewers with more artistic performances, but also marked significant historical anniversaries, including the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and the 75th anniversary of the Chinese People's Volunteers' (CPV) participation in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea.

A micro-documentary told the story of CPV soldier Huang Jiguang, who was born in Deyang City and lost his life on the Korean battlefield 73 years ago.

A medley of songs was presented in Chinese, English, French and Russian to commemorate the 80th anniversary of World War II victory.

The gala concluded with a epilogue symphony named "Bright Moon Over the Ocean."

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a significant traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the night when the moon reaches its fullest and brightest on the 15th day of the eighth month on the Chinese lunar calendar. This year, the day falls on Monday.

During the festival, family members come together, share mooncakes while admiring the moon, and light up lanterns to enjoy the happiness of family reunion.

CMG's Mid-Autumn Festival Gala celebrates traditions, honors wartime heroes

Nicaragua's co-foreign minister Valdrack Jaentschke has warned that militarism must never be allowed to rise again, as Japan's recent moves to lift its arms export ban and revise the pacifist Constitution continue to draw international concern.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, where Japan's Class-A war criminals from World War II were brought to justice.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Valdrack Jaentschke voiced his concern that today's world order is being undermined by interventionism and other challenges.

"It is necessary for us to remember that after the end of World War II, countries worked hard to build a new international order based on international law. However, regrettably, more than 80 years later, we are seeing that this once explored and attempted order is being challenged by interventionism, a confrontational mindset, and tendencies like 'might makes right.' These are precisely the conditions that gave rise to fascism and militarism in the past, which ultimately led to the tragedy of World War II," he said.

He said the international community has a responsibility to pursue a new international order -- one fundamentally grounded in peace.

"Looking back at the history more than eight decades ago and comparing it with today's reality, it is our responsibility to recognize that the world should, and must, build a new international order that is more just, fairer, rooted in international law, based on a logic of mutual benefit and shared success, and fundamentally grounded in peace," said the minister.

"Today, as we revisit the Tokyo Trials, it is meant to remind the world that such a tragedy must never be repeated -- and that we must do everything in our power to prevent it from happening again. We must stop that dark world -- born from militarism, interventionism, and fascism -- from ever returning," he said.

Nicaraguan FM warns of militarism revival