The first theatrical performance of Chinese people in Alberta commemorating the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Anti-Japanese War was grandly held

The first theatrical performance of Chinese people in Alberta commemorating the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Anti-Japanese War was grandly held (contributed by the Correspondence Group of the Preparatory Committee for the Commemoration of the Anti-Japanese War, photographed by Chen Lijun) Chronicle of Chinese Overseas Chinese in Alberta...

(contributed by the Correspondence Group of the Preparatory Committee for the Commemoration of the Anti-Japanese War, Photography by Chen Lijun) The Preparatory Committee of the Chinese in Alberta to Commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Anti-Fascist and Anti-Japanese War Victory held a symposium to commemorate the Anti-Japanese War on July 7 and held a joint celebration of the victory of the Second World War by the Chinese and American Allies on August 15. On August 30, the first cultural entertainment performance of the Chinese in Alberta to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Victory of the Anti-Japanese War was held at the Wild Horse Casino Theater. The Phoenix Chinese Elders Reunion Group, composed of elderly people who had experienced the peak of the Anti-Japanese War and suffered hardships, kicked off the commemorative event. Famous Cantonese opera artists and singers who were invited all the way from San Francisco presented a wonderful cultural program to the audience. Many overseas Chinese leaders attended the event, and overseas Chinese from Tucson also made a special trip to attend the event. A total of more than 700 people participated and watched the performance. Everyone gathered together to commemorate that painful history with songs, remember the great contributions of the martyrs, and inherit and carry forward the great anti-Japanese spirit.

The first appearance was the Mandarin choir of the Phoenix Senior Citizens Association. The elderly people were uniformly dressed and full of energy. They sang the classic patriotic song "I Love My Motherland", "On the Songhua River" which expressed the homesickness of the people in northern Cambodia, and "Defend the Yellow River" which reflected the desperate spirit of the people across the country. The Cantonese choir of the Senior Citizens Association sang "The Brave Chinese", "The Great Wall Will Never Fall Down" and "Shanghai Beach". The high-spirited singing of the elderly was heart-stirring and fully reflected the Chinese people's ambition to resist foreign aggression and revitalize China.

Yu Wenjin, a senior overseas Chinese leader in Alberta, delivered a speech at the conference. First of all, he thanked everyone for coming to today's event and supporting the activities to commemorate the victory of the Anti-Japanese War. He said: The Anti-Japanese War was a national comprehensive war for China to resist Japanese aggression. On July 7, 1937, the Japanese army provoked the Marco Polo Bridge Incident near Peking, and the Sino-Japanese war broke out in an all-round way. Japanese militarism committed heinous crimes in China, and the Chinese people rose up to resist. In eight years, more than 35 million of our compatriots were killed or injured, and the property losses were incalculable. I personally experienced the eight years of the Anti-Japanese War, which was horrific and unforgettable. We must keep history in mind, honor the heroes, cherish the hard-won peace, and create a better future; at the same time, we warn our next generation not to forget the national humiliation, not to allow the tragedy of war to recur, and to inherit the indomitable national spirit.

Deng Chaoju, chairman of the provincial organizing committee to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Anti-Japanese War and former White House Asian and Pacific Islander Councilor, emphasized that the Chinese nation’s shocking and tragic anti-Japanese war history 70 years ago must never be forgotten. In the great victory of the Anti-Japanese War, our ancestors have set a good example for us. They completed a great historic turning point for the Chinese nation with their bloodshed and sacrifice. Commemorating history means facing history squarely, maintaining a peaceful external environment, and realizing the great national rejuvenation of the motherland.

>Cui Zengqi, vice chairman of the Phoenix Overseas Chinese Federation, said that the Anti-Japanese War was the greatest patriotic war in the history of the Chinese nation and a great victory for the national spirit. Every man is responsible for the rise and fall of the country. This war made us deeply realize the truth that a weak country will be bullied by others. Only with the unification of the country, the unity of the people, social stability, economic development, and the enhancement of national strength can Chinese people have dignity, can the Chinese nation be invaded and humiliated again, and can it contribute to world peace and common development. I wish compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits will work together to build a stronger motherland. He thanked Ms. Wang Ruijin for her hard work in the performance. I would also like to express my special thanks to the old friends of the Chinese Senior Citizens Association for their great enthusiasm in commemorating the Anti-Japanese War. The chorus members each contributed money to commemorate the Anti-Japanese War activities, worked tirelessly to practice, and sang anti-Japanese patriotic songs wonderfully.

Actors from the San Francisco Overseas Chinese Cultural and Educational Service Troupe: Tan Niantie, Ou Liuxia, Xu Manzhi, Yang Yiheng, Yu Xiling, and Liu Liping respectively performed choruses and solos of many classic Mandarin, Cantonese and American songs that were well-known during the Anti-Japanese War. Cantonese opera masters Ou Liuxia and Tan Niantie performed in costume the love story of Tang Minghuang and Yang Guifei. They were handsome in appearance, pure in singing, and melodious. They fully reflected the characteristics of Cantonese opera of "passionate, lingering and pathos". Friends who love Cantonese opera enjoyed a cultural feast and were greatly appreciated by the audience.

After the performance, overseas Chinese leaders Yu Wenjin, Deng Chaoju and representatives of the overseas Chinese community in Alberta took the stage to present honorary certificates and flowers to the San Francisco Overseas Chinese Cultural and Educational Service Group, thanking them for their wonderful performance. The audience came forward to take photos with the actors. The entire performance lasted for more than 2 hours and came to an end in a joyful and peaceful atmosphere.