(9 Sep 1996) Mandarin/Cantonese/Nat
The twentieth anniversary of Mao Tse-tung's death is receiving little attention in China Monday.
The controversial Communist leader who led his army to victory in 1949, and dominated the People's Republic for the next 25 years, is often criticised for the brutality of his rule.
But he has benefited from a recent resurgence in popularity.
The last time this music was given such a complete performance was in 1964 when the audience included Chairman Mao.
This was also a special occasion.
Sunday night at the Beijing Concert Hall the musical epic called "The Sun Rises East" was again performed, this time to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Mao's death on Monday.
Songs included such old patriotic favorites as "The Long March" and "Workers, Farmers and Soldiers: Unite!"
Many of the performers were present to sing before Mao in 1964.
SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin)
"Chairman Mao paid close attention and showed great concern about our performance then. After watching our performance he met with all of us. It was the afternoon of October 16, 1964 in the Great Hall of the people. Today I'm very happy to sing these songs again because it reminds me of that day."
SUPERCAPTION: Bai Huiven, performer
Many Chinese do not wish to remember at all the period of Mao's rule.
Though he is revered in some quarters for leading China's Communist takeover, his rule was characterised by its brutality.
The ten-year Cultural Revolution of the late 1960s was extremely violent. Young zealots, the Red Guards, heeding Mao's call to rebel, harassed and tortured millions of people.
Millions of others died of starvation, purges and persecution during Mao's rule.
But some Chinese say that Mao's accomplishments far outweigh his mistakes.
SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin)
"Mao led the Chinese people to the victory in our revolution. To hold such a concert to commemorate the anniversary of his death is meaningful and appropriate. We should be objective about him."
SUPER CAPTION: Gao Dengyong (Voxpop)
SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin)
"For people my age it's a nice chance to remember the old days."
SUPER CAPTION: Li Baozhen (Voxpop)
Mao's death in 1976 brought the Cultural Revolution to an end and made possible the era of economic reforms which have changed the face of China.
But despite the immense progress since that time, many Chinese still revere Chairman Mao for his achievements.
SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin)
"I think Mao was a great leader. He was also a great philosopher and military scientist. The Chinese people will always remember him. So this concert is for us to remember what a great leader Mao was."
SUPER CAPTION: Zhang Yongliang, Beijing Music Hall vice-manager
(Voxpop)
A portrait of Mao still overlooks Beijing's Tiananmen Square, and millions of people have visited the mausoleum on the square where Mao's body lies preserved under glass.
Officials sought to de-mystify Mao after his death.
But there has been a resurgence in Mao's popularity in recent years as well as nostalgia for the early years of his rule, which many Chinese remember as being less corrupt and money-driven than China today.
China's state-run media has so far paid scant attention to today's anniversary, and there were no signs that Mao's successors in the Beijing leadership are planning major commemorations.
A Hong Kong newspaper report claimed the Beijing has ruled that only leaders' births -- not deaths -- should be celebrated.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
