The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) announced in a statement yesterday that in order to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the 120th anniversary of the birth of the nation’s classical composer Xian Xinghai, it has recently launched a picture book titled “The Musical Journey of Xian Xinghai” in paperback, aiming to pay tribute to Xian’s “remarkable contributions to the nation and his musical achievements”.
The picture book, according to the statement, also aims to offer young readers an inspiring example of bravery, dedication and patriotism. The picture book will be distributed free of charge from tomorrow at all public libraries, cultural venues and events commemorating Xian Xinghai. Residents are welcome to collect a copy.
Xian Xinghai, according to the statement, who was born in Macau, is officially recognised as an “outstanding musician of China in the 20th century”. “His life was one of assiduous study and practice, marked by exertion and sacrifice for the nation,” the statement said.
The book, the statement said, will be available in Chinese, Portuguese and English, relating the story of Xian’s upbringing, education and musical career developments. “The rich content and exquisite illustrations allow children to learn about the composer’s life while also deepening their understanding of the history of the nation’s resistance against Japanese aggression,” the statement said.
According to the statement, the book will be available for free collection during opening hours at the following locations: all public libraries under the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Xian Xinghai Memorial Museum, Macao Museum, General Ye Ting’s Former Residence, Mandarin’s House, Lou Kau Mansion, Information Counter at the Ruins of St. Paul’s, Chong Sai Pharmacy, Macao Museum of Art, Taipa Houses – Macanese Living Museum, Museum of Taipa and Coloane History, Heritage Exhibition of a Traditional Pawnshop Business, Former Iec Long Firecracker Factory Walkway, Reception of the Cultural Affairs Bureau Headquarters, and Archives of Macao. Each person can collect only one copy on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last.
Xian Xinghai is best known for the Yellow River Cantata upon which the Yellow River Piano Concerto is based. Composed in Yan’an in early 1939 during the Second Sino-Japanese War, the work was inspired by a patriotic poem by Guang Weiran, which was also adapted as the lyrics.
This handout provided by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) yesterday shows the bureau’s picture book titled “The Musical Journey of Xian Xinghai.”
