High school drama festival marks WWII victory anniversary

Students at Beijing No. 5 High School staged nine performances commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War during the school's 23rd annual drama festival on May 16.

Students perform "The Eternal Wave" during a high school drama festival in Beijing, May 16, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Vice Principal Chen Ying said around 400 teachers and students from the school's second-year classes worked on the productions from March to May under the theme "remembering history," with nearly a third of students taking acting roles.

Since its first edition in 2002, the festival has grown to combine literature, stagecraft and other disciplines, helping students develop artistic skills while strengthening cultural identity through classic works, Chen said. The school uses theater to expand students' cultural understanding.

The festival featured nine thematically diverse productions. Works ranged from Lao She's stories of ordinary lives to depictions of anti-fascist resistance. "Four Generations Under One Roof" portrayed civilian resilience under occupation. "Nanjing Memorial" honored women defying Japanese brutality. "The Message" depicted wartime espionage. "The Dawns Here Are Quiet" adapted from Soviet literature, connected with the Chinese classic "The Eternal Wave" to show the global anti-fascist struggle.

Students perform "The Dawns Here Are Quiet" during a high school drama festival in Beijing, May 16, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Student performers reflected on sacrifice and bravery during dark times. Through rehearsals and performances, they deepened their understanding of heroes and said theater transported them to that brutal era, making them appreciate today's peace.

Chen said students' experiences revealed the educational value of the high school drama festival.

"When students use critical thinking to explore history and examine contemporary issues through performance, theater transcends entertainment," Chen said. "It becomes a vessel that awakens collective memory and fosters national identity."

Beijing No. 5 High School is one of the city's leading academic institutions, ranking among the city's top high schools.