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Reread the spirit of moving west

2023-06-14 LIN Weiwei

"Seek only the truth, not profit and loss."

 

 

 

 

This is a famous quote from the original historical drama - “Spirit of Qiushi”, scripted and performed by the Black and White Drama Society of Wenqin Art Troupe. On Apr. 16 and 17, the play was successfully staged at the Guilin Grand Theatre, Guilin, Guangxi, which is also the first stop of its 2023 tour.

 

The play is an adaptation of principal CHU Kochen’s life story and the “1937 Moving West” story of ZJU, which is a historical trip that crossed 2600 kilometers and lasted more than two years. Since its creation, watching the “Spirit of Qiushi has been a must-do before graduation for all students. Over a decade, more than 300 members of the Black and White Drama Society have contributed to the play's refinement. From clothing to stage lighting, from lines to facial expressions, details were added so that the audience would have an immersive experience.

 

During the echo of the Festival Song, all the cast bowed deeply with thundering applause. Along with the repetitive “thank you” sound waves, it suddenly dawned on me that, as a senior in the drama society and among the undergraduates, this might be the last chance to contribute myself to this play and to see this moving story of history. It reminded me of the trip, as we traveled to Guangxi, passing through Quzhou, Yiling, Taihe, etc., we were also “moving west,” just like the teachers and students who insisted on continuing their study during WWII.

 

“Though the play has ended, ZJUers' pursuit of seeking truth never ends.” Said FANG Rui who played the role of young CHU in the current cast.