Artists from the Chinese mainland and the Taiwan region performed beloved songs at a recent concert themed around reunion, evoking shared cultural memories between compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Produced by China Media Group (CMG), the musical event was held in the spirit of the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival and brought together more than 400 people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait. It was broadcast on Sept 29 on CMG's variety channel, radio frequencies, as well as multiple digital platforms.
At the event, tradition and modernity converged on one stage, creating a deeply touching experience. Classic melodies beloved by compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait including "Maiden of Alishan," "Grandma's Penghu Bay," and "Crescent Moon" immersed the audience in nostalgia.
Wang Yaoqing, an actor from Taiwan region performed "If You Want to Win, You Must Fight," a song familiar to Minnan-speaking communities since childhood. Wang said he hopes to convey the spirit of daring to strive -- captured in the lyric "three parts are destiny, seven parts are hard work" -- to young dreamers on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
"I'm very happy to have this chance to sing the song on this stage. It always conveys a spirit of striving upward, of working hard, of pushing forward no matter what setbacks you face. It always gives people great motivation to move forward," he said.
Wang Peiyu, a Peking Opera artist from east China's Jiangsu Province, and Taiwan's renowned Peking Opera artist Wei Haimin performed "Silang Visits His Mother: The Palace Scene" together. Wang Peiyu said she had performed in Taiwan more than ten times, and that opera fans in Taiwan have always cherished this excerpt for its message of reunion.
"Today I collaborated with a renowned Mei School artist from Taiwan, a senior figure in our Peking Opera circles, the excellent Mei School qingyi (a dignified and elegant female role in traditional Chinese opera) actress, Wei Haimin, on the well-known 'Silang Visits His Mother: The Palace Scene.' This performance is particularly meaningful. More than a decade ago, Wei and I also collaborated on ' The Legend of the White Snake.' The collaboration between the two sides has been diverse, rich, and spans three decades," she said.
She also said she believes in the power of classic art to move people across time and space. "I think Peking Opera in particular holds great significance for opera fans and audiences on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. So, having the chance to sing with Ms Wei once again is very meaningful. I hope culture, tradition, and art can transcend time and distance and bring such classics into everyone's hearts," she said.
The event also featured three story-sharing sessions. Stories of people from Taiwan and the mainland exploring cutting-edge technology together and dedicating themselves to public welfare highlighted the social value that can be created when people from both sides work hand in hand. Four young musicians from Taiwan also shared their stories happened when working at the China National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA).
These real-life stories paint a picture of compatriots from both sides connecting heart-to-heart and pursuing dreams together -- much like the song "Firefly" performed by Annie Yi, singer and actress from Taiwan, in which glimmers of light converge into a warmth that reaches straight to the heart.
"Being able to admire the same moon and listen to the same song really warms my heart. I've always believed that whether it's a big family or a small one, people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family. Having this chance to bring everyone together through song singing is particularly meaningful," she said.
Joint performance by mainland, Taiwan artists highlights enduring bonds between compatriots
