Toward the end of the art performance, the performers and audience rose to the song “Without the Communist Party, There Would Be No New China,” which they lovingly and readily sang in concert. Character translated to mean “Great Journey 1921-2021” were on prominent display in the background. Photo: Li Hao/GT

The glorious history of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was summed up in a gigantic and splendid art performance that was staged on Monday evening at the National Stadium in Beijing to celebrate the centennial of the Party’s founding of the Party.

The spectacular show touched around 20,000 spectators in attendance with stories of the ups and downs the century-old Party has experienced. 

When fireworks displayed the number 100 over the stadium, the curtains of the performance, entitled “Great Journey,” were drawn back.

The guards of honor display the high spirit of the PLA. Photo: Li Hao/GT

The epic show, divided into four parts, depicted how the Chinese people, under the leadership of the CPC, have revolutionarily constructed and reformed the country over the past 100 years.

The first chapter reflects on how the CPC united Chinese people and achieved the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the Chinese civil war (1946-49).

The second chapter reviews the process of the socialist revolution and construction, in which the chorus and dance drama shows the scene of the devoted participation of the Chinese People’s Volunteers in the Korean War (1950-53). China uses the term the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea  to refer to its participation. 

The third chapter presents the celebration of the returns of Hong Kong  and Macao to the motherland, as well as the great victory of the Chinese people’s fight against the SARS and subsequent earthquakes. 

The fourth chapter presents CPC’s achievements from today’s great infrastructural projects to a successful concerted national effort in the alleviation of poverty, and a triumphant fight against COVID-19 outbreak. 

A large-scale musical portrays the concerted efforts of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and civilian medical workers in the triumphant fight against COVID-19. Photo: Li Hao/GT

China’s advanced aerospace technology and the emblem for the 2008 Beijing Olympics are featured in a performance to mark the CPC’s centennial. Photo: Li Hao/GT

Some key events in the Party history were also displayed in the performance, including China’s economic opening-up following the third plenary session of the 11th CPC Central Committee in 1978, the returns of Hong Kong and Macao to the motherland, the victory of the Chinese people against SARS, and consecutive massive earthquakes, the successful hosting of the Beijing Olympic Games and the Shanghai Expo, and China’s first three-member crew space mission.

On the giant screen at the center of the stage, the golden Party emblem shone brilliantly, set against the red curtain in gilded fonts with “1921” and “2021” written on the two sides. 

At the highest point of the stage, 100 trumpeters stood tall, while a group of soldiers stood on either side, strong and focused will shining in their eyes.

Hundreds of young people, with scarlet bouquets in hand, gathered at the center of the stage.

Spectacular fireworks are displayed for the “Great Journey” performance to celebrate the centennial of CPC’s founding at the National Stadium in Beijing. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Gorgeous fireworks displays lit up the sky above the National Stadium to celebrate the Party’s centennial.

Toward the end of the performance, the audience rose to the song “Without the Communist Party, There Would Be No New China” which they lovingly and readily sang in concert.

“All the audience around me, including the security guards and the volunteers, all of them were in a celebratory mood – they were waving flags and singing along,” Li Hai, a Beijing resident who was lucky enough to be at the performance along in the stadium, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

“The show started from the period of China’s humble history… then gradually you see China’s progress and achievements. I feel extremely lucky and happy to be able to live a life like today’s, and it is built on the sacrifices of the generations who came before us,” he said.

More than 10,000 cast members of the performance learned more about the CPC history when they participated in the art performance. With such experience, many of them have decided to apply to join in the Party. At least 787 cast members had handed in their applications to the Party branches as of Wednesday, the Global Times learned.

The performance was slated to be broadcast on China Central Television on July 1.

In addition to the “Great Journey” held at the National Stadium in Beijing, performances around China were presented during the past few days.

For instance, the art show “A Century of Glory” broadcast by Henan TV focused on the energy of the young generation, in which young people communicated with heroic figures a century ago through dialogues to demonstrate the achievements the CPC made in the past century.
 
In Lhasa, capital of Southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, a spectacular art gala was curated and opened to the public, with 20 programs, including singing, dancing, and poem readings to express the best of wishes to the Party and the country.

Global Times