Accusations fly thick and fast over Chinese cultural group’s Cultural Revolution ‘red songs’ concert
Stung by the criticism that the show had Cultural Revolution overtones, organisers refuse to take responsibility for the event
The performers and organisers of a concert in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing that featured Cultural Revolution “red songs” are refusing to take responsibility for the event.
There has been confusion among some members of the public over whether Monday’s concert, given its high-profile location, signalled a political stance or intention in the lead-up to the 50th anniversary of the revolution.
The event was staged by the Fifty-Six Flowers troupe and the China National Opera and Dance Drama Theatre, which is directly under the Ministry of Culture.
The theatre group, which is one of the top departments in charge of performances at the hall, said it was deceived by the co-organiser.
The cultural authority for Xicheng district, where the hall is located, said it approved the concert last month but the performers added a new organiser “in violation of regulations” and accused the performers of making up a propaganda agency.
But there was speculation among the public that Fifty-Six Flowers would not have been able to stage the show on its own.
Referring to statements by the theatre group and the Xicheng office, troupe leader Chen Guang said that if “both statements are correct, then we’re victims as well”.
He denied the concert was aimed at praising the Cultural Revolution. “There were nearly 6,000 people in the audience. No one would have linked it to the Cultural Revolution.
“It was a patriotic show from the bottom of [our] hearts and exuded ‘positive energy’,” he said. “We don’t know why it triggered such a controversy?”
We don’t know why it triggered such a controversy?
A source close to the situation said there were 300 performers in the show, but no high-profile officials attended except a few from the Communist Party propaganda department. Some observers said the concert was a continuation of the main themes that emerged out of the Spring Festival Gala organised by the state broadcaster.
“The show may be seen as a continuation of [this year’s] Spring Festival Gala,” said Zhang Lifan, an outspoken commentator, referring to the five-hour-long show by China Central Television in February.
The gala triggered controversy by including 100 People’s Liberation Army honour guards, who took part in the September 3 military parade in Tiananmen Square, to perform on stage.
The gala is the biggest annual television event on the mainland, but has become increasingly conservative.
A case in point: this year the suggestions for performance by leading pop stars were turned down because they didn’t fit the patriotic theme.
