As the 10th National Memorial Day for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre is approaching, various themed commemorative activities were held across the country to express the common aspiration of remembering history, safeguarding peace, and creating the future.
On Monday afternoon, Liaoning held a public memorial ceremony in Shenyang to commemorate the 86th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre.
“The Nanjing Massacre is not only a tragedy for Nanjing. We hold events to mourn the fallen compatriots and guide young friends to learn from history and cherish peace,” said Li Zhanteng, Director of the China Sino-Japanese War Research Center.
Nanjing held the 2023 Zijin Grass Action by inviting primary and secondary schools, universities, and enterprises to participate. Through activities such as searching for burial sites, conducting a series of public classes, and sharing stories, the seeds of peace are sown.
“Through the imaging materials, I have seen the devastating killings during the Nanjing Massacre and the displacement of refugees, which has made me more aware of the importance of peace,” said Li Lutong, a student of Jinling Middle School Lishui Branch.
On December 8th and 9th, Praying for Peace, a large-scale stage music group song concert was held in Nanjing. Nine national level lyricists and songwriters have incorporated into their lyrics the grand theme of learning from history, peaceful development, and the shared destiny of humanity, transforming humanity's love for peace into a melody, expressing the Chinese people's firm stance against aggression and war, defending human dignity, and safeguarding world peace through their songs.
“The original intention of creating a group song is to pay tribute and comfort to the deceased. In addition, we must bear the responsibility of the historical era, sing about peace, defend peace, and pass on the torch of peace from generation to generation, illuminating the world,” said Ge Xun, Composer for Praying for Peace.
The people of Zhenjiang and Yancheng held commemorative activities in martyr cemeteries, schools, and communities, either in silence or reciting the Peace Declaration, to commemorate the deceased compatriots and pray for peace.
