A dramatic song suite bringing to life the danger of the daring crossing of the Jinsha River, one of the most critical moments of the Red Army's epic military trek during the Long March, was performed on stage at a commemorative gala marking the 90th anniversary of the Red Army's Long March victory on Thursday.
The Long March (1934-1936) was a defining military maneuver undertaken by the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, symbolizing endurance and perseverance which ultimately paved the way for the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.
Titled "Ode to the Long March," the five-part gala broadcast by the China Media Group (CMG) centers on key historical junctures of the arduous 12,500-kilometer journey.
Backed by powerful vocals and a series of stage effects simulating churning water and rushing river torrents, the performance recreated the tense drama of May 1935, when the Red Army troops successfully crossed the Jinsha River -- a major natural barrier on the troop's journey north -- with the help of 37 local boatmen.
Integrating music, dance, drama, and folk art, the performances at the Gala vividly recall the immense hardships the Red Army endured and showcase the firm beliefs held by the Communist Party of China (CPC), even in the face of sacrifice and suffering.
The broadcast followed a commemorative meeting held earlier on Thursday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech.
The Long March began in October 1934, when 86,000 poorly armed soldiers began a grueling 12,500-kilometer journey across some of the country's harshest terrain to establish a new revolutionary base. The march concluded in October 1936 when three main Red Army forces converged in northwestern China.
Dramatic stage performance recreates Red Army's daring river crossing during Long March
A vibrant dance and chorus performance portraying the friendship between Red Army soldiers and the locals of the Yi ethnic group during the Long March was presented at a gala commemorating the 90th anniversary of the epic military campaign's victory on Thursday.
The Long March (1934-1936) was a defining military maneuver undertaken by the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, symbolizing endurance and perseverance which ultimately paved the way for the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.
Titled "Ode to the Long March," the five-part gala broadcast by the China Media Group (CMG) centers on key historical junctures of the arduous 12,500-kilometer journey.
The special performance segment during the gala depicted the pivotal encounter between the marching soldiers of the Red Army and members of the local Yi community, who are nestled deep in the mountainous terrain of southwest China. It showed how they slowly built up trust, going from strangers to become sworn brothers, before the Red Army continued its trek northward.
The performance drew inspiration from the historic "Yihai Alliance", forged between Red Army commander Liu Bocheng and local Yi leader Xiaoyedan in May 1935, who sealed their brotherhood through a traditional Yi oath ceremony. The Red Army earned the deep respect and support of the Yi people, allowing it to pass smoothly through the region.
Integrating music, dance, drama, and folk art, the performances at the Gala vividly recall the immense hardships the Red Army endured and showcase the firm beliefs held by the Communist Party of China (CPC), even in the face of sacrifice and suffering.
The broadcast followed a commemorative meeting held earlier on Thursday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech.
The Long March began in October 1934, when 86,000 poorly armed soldiers began a grueling 12,500-kilometer journey across some of the country's harshest terrain to establish a new revolutionary base. The march concluded in October 1936 when three main Red Army forces converged in northwestern China.
Dance performance celebrates historic friendship between Red Army, Yi ethnic group
