Remembering history and honoring heroes through music. To mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra brought a special musical party lecture titled “From the War of Resistance to a Moderately Prosperous Society” to Baoshan District. The event was held at the Shanghai Songhu Memorial Hall for the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

This unique lecture unfolded yesterday afternoon, blending music with historical reflection and spanning over half a century of China’s tumultuous journey. The lecture featured a string quartet as its main artistic form and included seven carefully selected classics such as The Internationale, Song of the 800 Heroes, Nanniwan, and Sing a Folk Song for the Party. The performance was a collaboration among musicians from the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, students from the Shanghai Orchestra Academy, and local primary and secondary school students. Professor Hu Nimin from the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra served as the main lecturer. Framing the event around the Battle of Shanghai, she brought to life the red stories behind each piece: from the fierce defense of the Sihang Warehouse by the “800 Heroes” during the Battle of Shanghai, to the tenacious spirit of self-reliance in the Nanniwan reclamation movement; from the heartfelt loyalty in Sing a Folk Song for the Party, to the contemporary ideals conveyed in Remain True to Our Original Aspiration.

The event concluded with a joint performance of Songs and Smiles by the youth performers and professional musicians, paying tribute to the past with youthful melodies while looking forward to the future. The memorial hall was filled with an atmosphere of warmth and solemnity, as stirring music and rounds of heartfelt applause resonated through the space.

As the host venue, the Shanghai Songhu Memorial Hall for the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression provided a powerful historical backdrop for the lecture. Its exhibits—ranging from wartime relics to historical footage—interacted beautifully with the live music, deepening the audience’s emotional connection to history and inspiring thoughtful reflection. The rhythmic march of The Battle Hymn of August 13 evoked a vivid sense of the wartime era.

Over 150 participants from various sectors attended the event, including students of all ages and representatives from businesses and institutions. Moving forward, the memorial hall will continue to innovate its approaches to promoting red culture, transforming itself into a “classroom of revolutionary education”.

This musical party lecture is also a special feature of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra’s 2025 MISA (Music in the Summer Air) “Symphony in the City” program. Designed to use music as a vehicle, the Party’s legacy as its theme, and history as its thread, the initiative aims to revive red classics, honor fallen heroes, and carry forward the indomitable spirit of the War of Resistance—bringing it to life with renewed brilliance in the new era.