On the evening of October 26, 2023, a special event titled “Historical Imaging: A Tribute to the 80th Anniversary of the Southwest Drama Exhibition” was held in Guilin, hosted by the Central Academy of Drama and organized by its Institute of Dramatic Arts and the Liu Xinglin Stage Design Studio. This event took place at the original site of the Southwest Drama Exhibition in Guilin, Guangxi.
With 2024 marking the 80th anniversary of the Southwest Drama Exhibition, the performance is part of the theatrical segment of the 2024 Guilin Arts Festival, designed to honor this significant milestone.
The creative team from the Central Academy of Drama has redefined the traditional commemorative exhibition format. They showcased an exclusive collection of precious photographs and documents from the Southwest Drama Exhibition by projecting them onto the surface of the Li River near Elephant Trunk Hill. As the treasured images from 80 years ago emerged on the river, the audience was transported back to a time of unity and resilience during the War of Resistance.
As historical images flowed gently with the water, figures of the past came to life, bridging the past to the present and future. Young performers, symbolizing the enduring spirit of the Southwest Drama Exhibition, raised their red flags against the wind, embodying the legacy that continues to inspire.
“I was one of the few actors in this visual exhibition, holding a red flag and riding a bamboo raft, racing across the Li River’s screen,” said Cai Chenhao, a fourth-year student at the Central Academy of Drama. “It represented our commitment to carry on the spirit of the original Southwest Drama Exhibition and to keep its red heritage alive.”
The first Southwest Drama Exhibition took place in Guilin from February 15 to May 19, 1944, during one of the most challenging periods of the War of Resistance. It showcased the achievements of seven years of wartime theater, fostering unity within the theater community and boosting the morale of both the military and the populace, ultimately preparing China for victory in the war.
