A SONG FOR CHINA

To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of the second Sino-Japanese War, Zhang writes about his father, Guang Weiran, the author of a poem that inspired and became the lyrics for the Yellow River Cantata.

The piece is a patriotic song made famous as a rallying cry throughout China against the Japanese invasion. Despite controversy that included a ban for several years, it is now played in concert halls around the world. The main focus of this book, however, is the life of Guang Weiran, the author of the famous lyrics and a military officer overseeing theatrical troupes trained to both perform and fight. Born in the Hubei province, Weiran was a gifted student, his politicization beginning at the tender age of 12 after learning of the May 30 massacre, in which student protests were met with violence by the British police who controlled the area. Weiran gets his start speaking at demonstrations, later becoming involved with the Chinese Communist Party. As an adult officer leading his troupe, he is inspired by the power of the Yellow River, known as the mother river of China. Soon after sustaining a broken arm, he pens the 130-verse poem within five days. Digital, woodblock-inspired black-and-white illustrations with highlights of red visually narrate his journey. Maps, photos, and footnotes provide guidance through the complex politics and shifts in power that affect his life. The complete Yellow River Cantata follows, provided in both English and Simplified Chinese.

An informative resource rich with mixed-media visuals.