An art show gala, “Strength of the South” was held in Jiannan Auditorium on the evening of April 6th to commemorate the 93rd anniversary of XMU . XMU Students Art Troupe performed.
There was singing, dancing, poetry recitation and stage plays, with chapters including “The Great Cause of Patriotism”, “Strengthening Ourselves in the Midst of War”, “the Hero-like University”, “Revival of the University”, and “the Dream of the Strength of the South and the Dream of China”. The performers vividly depict the difficulties faced university founders and the development made by their followers.

“The Great Cause of Patriotism” told the touching story of Tan Kah Kee at the initial stage of the university. The dance “Set Sail” and poetry recitation accompanied by music “Ode to Tan Kah Kee” displayed the founding father’s determination, “The gate of the mansion (the meaning of Xiamen in Chinese) must be established even if I have to sell mansions.” In the short play “Gathering of Talents”, such renowned historical figures as Lu Xun and Lin Yutang, took the audience back to the 1930’s when they lived and worked in XMU. Dance “pursuit” chanted the praise of Luo Yangcai, Xiamen's first Secretary of the Party branch and Union President.

“Strenghtening Ourselves in the Midst of War” narrated a story of how XMU migrated to Changting, an inland city in Fujian province and continued its researching and teaching under the invasion of Japan. Dance “Marching Forward” describes the migration while antiphonal poetry recitation “A Love Letter in Wartime” showcases the then president Sa Bendong’s devotion to the university. Choruses “Song of Graduation” and “To the Rear of the Army” were also performed

In “the Hero-like University”, play “Wang Yanan and Chen Jingrun” reproduced the story of how Chen Jingrun grew from an unemployed math genius (he was a street vendor once) to a world-renowned math expert, after Wang Yanan personally asked him to work for XMU and offered generous support to his work. The powerful “Battle Hymn of XMU” sung by national defense students brought the spectators back to the revolutionary era. The following song medley, including “the Morning Tune of the Prairie”, “the Dance of Youth”, “the Waltz of Youthful Friendship” and “To the Rural Area and the Borderland”, were well received by the audience.

In “Revival of the University”, a series of songs including “in the Field of Hope”, “the Song of Seaside Campus”, “the Campus Morning”, “Without You”, “To Youth”, “Running”, “For a Banquet, My Young Friends” impressed the audience a lot. The original song, “the Nation of Yingxue”, performed by student counselors, the recitation, “I am an XMUer” and “the Song of XMU Alumni”, by delegates of alumni, all won warm applause.  

“The Dream of the Strength of the South and the Dream of China” stressed the “two century goals” of XMU and China. The dance, “Leaping and Skyrocketing Development”, the combination of dancing and singing, “Marvelous Rivers and Mountains”, depicted the splendid scenery of the motherland, reflecting patriotism and university loyalty.

The performance was successfully ended with a chorus of the “Song of XMU”. It was a night when applause wouldn’t stop. Best wishes to the university and the motherland.

(Text by Chen Lang, Office of Communications; Photo by Zhuang Hua, Office of Communcations)