Beijing unveils works to mark 80th anniversary of WWII victory

Beijing has rolled out more than 40 cultural works to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The lineup spans major art forms, including the Peking Opera "Struggles in an Ancient City," the play "Butcher," the film "Dongji Island," and the TV drama "The Long Way Back," all highlighting the spirit of resistance and national revival.

The Peking Opera production, staged by Jingju Theater Company of Beijing, is a new adaptation of a classic. Led by renowned performers Zhang Huifang and Du Zhenjie, the production features the full range of Peking Opera roles. It blends traditional performance with innovative staging, including cinematic visual design and immersive digital backdrops.

The play "Butcher," written in 1946 by Austrian and German playwrights, revisits the tragic story of a Vienna butcher under fascist rule. First performed in Beijing 43 years ago, the work was restaged by Beijing People's Art Theatre in 2005. Its latest revival seeks to combine historical memory with contemporary reflection, fostering a vision for peace through the arts.

The film "Dongji Island" tells the little-known story of the Lisbon Maru sinking during World War II, when Chinese fishermen rescued 384 British prisoners of war. The drama "The Long Way Back" depicts a Northeast United Resistance Army squad cut off from its main force, fighting the Japanese invaders in isolation.

More works are in the pipeline, including operas, films, and micro-dramas, as the city continues to mark the anniversary through cultural productions.