Chicago Chinese holds concert to mark 70th anniversary of victory of China's anti-Japanese war

Various activities were held to celebrate the 70th anniversary of China's 1945 victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan both home and abroad.[Photo/Xinhua]

The Yellow River Cantata, with its power and grandeur, rang out at a concert in the Chicago Symphony Hall on Saturday, August 22, marking the 70th anniversary of China's 1945 victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan.

The concert started with a medley of China's finest inspiring patriotic songs of the World War II (WWII) era, including On Taihang Mountain, Graduation, Flowers of May, Guerrila's Song and On Songhua River, reminding audience of the hard time Chinese people have gone through in the 1930s and 1940s, and bringing tears to eyes for some aged.

Some 80 children, mostly born in the United States, performed the Song of a Paperboy and Resist We Must -- both popular plays in the Anti-Japanese War era. These children have started practicing since the summer holidays began.

Theme from Schindler's List performed by South Shore Orchestra has added certain World Anti-Fascist War touch to the concert, giving the audience a reminiscence of the grief and pain the Jewish people have suffered during WWII.

Jonathan Wilson, a frequent traveler to China who was thrilled to be part of the concert, drew big rounds of applause with his Playing My Beloved Pipa song -- the thematic song of the movie The Railway Guerilla Force. People were amazed by his clear, perfect Chinese pronunciations and enthusiastic performance.