On August 17 (local time), the overseas Chinese community in New York solemnly held a grand music and dance performance to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War. The event, co-hosted by the New York Taishan Friendship Association, the American Guangdong Overseas Chinese Federation, the Jiangmen Wuyi Youth Federation of Eastern USA, and the Guangdong Alumni Association Federation, and jointly organized by over 40 Chinese associations, drew a full house of overseas Chinese community members and guests from China and the United States.
The performance featured powerful artistic expressions, including the grand dance "Echoes of History," the chorus "By the Songhua River," a Sino-American Vocal Trio, a male solo performance of "I Love You, China," and the iconic "The Yellow River Cantata." Through music, dance, and symphony, the production vividly recreated the flames of the War of Resistance, honored martyrs, condemned wartime atrocities, and expressed the overseas Chinese community's firm belief in cherishing peace and their steadfast commitment to pursuing it.
"The venue was completely packed," stated Tang Xinchi, Chairman of the Jiangmen Wuyi Youth Federation of Eastern USA. "We had a total of three hundred performers, and with the guests, all over eight hundred seats were fully occupied." Chen Yongjin, Chairman of the New York Taishan Friendship Association, emphasized the event's purpose: "Because the commemoration of Anti-Fascism has a profound impact... This performance was meant to remember history and cherish peace." He stressed the sacrifices made by Chinese American ancestors to bring about "the dawn of peace," urging younger generations to "cherish this hard-won peace."
American participants shared their profound connections. Vocalist Aaron Scarberry, who first went to China in 2015 for the iSING! festival and later moved there to teach and perform, expressed deep emotion: "I am so thrilled to be a part of a performance like this, bringing the cultures together through music and different languages." He views sharing his passion as "trying to teach those around me about Chinese culture." New York double bass player David Saphra described participating as "a very moving experience," particularly praising The Yellow River Cantata for capturing "so much of the spirit of that time... The whole performance really brought it to life."
Liu Zhibin, Chairman of the American Guangdong Overseas Chinese Federation, reflected on historical solidarity: "Why were there so many overseas Chinese volunteering to donate money and actively participate during the Anti-Fascist period? In fact, we Chinese people will never forget our motherland, because our roots are in China... we always remember that 'blood is thicker than water.'"
Former UN staffer Xu Lin highlighted the contemporary relevance, noting that the performance reminds all to "remember China's history" and "take warning from the past." While condemning the "revival of Japanese militarism," including rising right-wing forces, visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, and textbook revisions—"things we absolutely cannot tolerate"—she clarified: "However, we do not harbor hatred towards the Japanese people... We maintain friendship... But we must oppose the revival of Japanese militarism."
Reporter: Guo Zedong, Liu Xiaodi, Ou Xiaoming
Text: Guo Zedong
Video script: Guo Zedong, Liu Xiaodi
Photo: Guo Hongda
Video: Guo Hongda
Editor: Yuan Zixiang, James Campion, Shen He
