Interview by William Chan
The original national opera “March of the Volunteers” (義勇軍進行曲) is set to be performed for the first time locally at the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) Grand Auditorium on December 20, the day marking the 26th anniversary of Macau’s return to the motherland, local producer Ken Sou Io Kuong has told the Post in a recent online interview.
The performance is a joint production by the Shanghai Opera House and the Xuhui District Culture and Tourism Bureau, and serves to commemorate two major historical milestones: The 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and the 90th anniversary of the creation of the “March of the Volunteers,” the national anthem of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
The decision to stage the opera on December 20, which coincides with the anniversary of Macau’s return to the motherland, is a deliberate choice to maximise the event’s historical and cultural impact, according to Sou. “It is a wonderful opportunity for the broader public in Macau to gain a deeper understanding of the genesis and the details behind the creation of our national anthem, the ‘March of the Volunteers.’”
Sou acknowledged that while the song is universally known and sung, the compelling story behind its creation – and the reason it was ultimately chosen as the national anthem – remains largely unknown to many. He expressed a strong desire to use the significant juncture of Macau’s return to the motherland to share this powerful narrative with the community.
Sou underlined that the production is a testament to cross-regional artistic collaboration. “The Shanghai Opera House has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the Macau engagement, bringing a massive contingent of nearly 120 people.” He noted that the Shanghai troupe was “regardless of cost” putting all their effort into introducing this work to Macau citizens. Furthermore, the opera will feature the active participation of local artistic talent, with Macau dancers and actors joining the Shanghai troupe, highlighting the blend of mainland expertise and local contribution.
Local musicians as well as organisers such as Sou himself played a crucial role in bringing the production to fruition. Sou explained that a fortunate coincidence led them to connect with the Shanghai Opera House and learn about their opera centred on the national anthem—a song that, as a Chinese person, “one must learn.” The core motivation was to use the opera format to move beyond mere recognition and singing of the song, enabling citizens to truly grasp its historical context.
Beyond the artistic and commemorative goals, the event carries a profound educational mission. Sou stressed that a key objective is to strengthen the understanding of Chinese history, particularly the history of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, among local citizens in general, the young generation in particular.
He views the project as a platform to project a vital message to the world. “Even though 80 years have passed since the victory of the War of Resistance, the Chinese spirit of self-improvement and unceasing struggle has never changed,” Sou underlined. He identified this spirit as the core value and national characteristic of the Chinese nation. This enduring trait, he argued, is relevant across all eras, from the turbulent times of war to the complexities of the present-day international landscape.
Sou concluded the interview by emphasising the contemporary relevance of the opera’s message – in the current global context, while China does not actively provoke conflict, it also maintains a stance of non-compromise, rooted in the core principle of self-reliance. He hopes the opera will inspire audiences to learn and internalise this spirit of “self-improvement.”
The performance will be held on December 20 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. with various discounts available. To purchase, visit:
http://www.macauticket.com/
These undated photos showcase scenes from previous performances of the national opera “March of the Volunteers”. – Photos provided by Ken Sou
