On July 17, the 8th Nie Er Music Week opened in Kunming. Centered on the theme "Resonating with Endeavor: Composing the Era’s Symphony," the event runs from July 17 to 23 in Kunming and Yuxi. The Kunming sub-venue features nearly 20 activities under the "music + cultural tourism" model, while the Yuxi sub-venue, themed "Hometown of Nie Er, City of Music," hosts activities like the "Nie Er Cup" youth choir showcase and speech competition, aiming to carry forward Nie Er’s patriotic spirit and resonate with the patriotic voice of the new era.

At the opening ceremony, Zeng Yan, member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Yunnan Provincial Committee and Minister of the Provincial Publicity Department, attended and declared the event open. The ceremony featured a torch relay, the premiere of the Nie Er-themed stage play "Light-Chasing Youth", and the release of the event’s theme song of the same name. Through an innovative "main stage + interactive stage" design, the ceremony fully showcased the musical achievements of the people’s musician Nie Er, immersing the audience in the timeless power of his patriotism.

Red Melodies Resonate with the Pulse of Our Times

The music week commenced with a series of highlights, including children’s flash mobs, orchestral performances, torch relays, and an immersive stage play. This artistic feast intertwined the legacy of Nie Er’s patriotism, Kunming’s cultural history, and diverse artistic expressions, revitalizing red melodies for the new era.

The Inheritance of Children's Voices and Strings: A Dialogue Across Time and Space.

A pre-ceremony flash mob unfolded outside the Yunnan Grand Theatre. Pupils from Changchun Primary School gathered before a "Nie Er’s Violin" installation and sang "Song of Newsboy". Music teacher Zhou Shijie explained that as Nie Er’s alma mater, the school uses such "red classics" to help children appreciate history and cherish the present. Fifth-grader Huang Xiaoyu remarked, "Nie Er cared deeply for underprivileged children." Fourth-grader Yue Yifan pledged, "As Nie Er’s schoolmate, I will inherit his patriotic spirit and strive to bring glory to our nation." Yue’s father hailed the event as vivid patriotic education that deepens the integration of Nie Er’s legacy with Kunming’s cultural tourism.

Immediately after, the Nie Er Symphony Orchestra captivated the audience with a spirited performance of "Dance of the Golden Snake", earning thunderous applause. Deputy Concertmaster Li Chaoqun noted that three pieces—"Dance of the Golden Snake", "Motherland，my kindly mother", and "My Motherland and I"—were selected for the flash mob. The orchestra, he added, is committed to modernizing classic melodies while exploring Yunnan’s local musical heritage.

"Light-Chasing Youth": Four Acts Illuminate Nie Er’s Life

The torch relay ceremony saw Qing Shan (Nie Er’s grandnephew) and Ouyang Wei (grandson of lyricist Tian Han) jointly place a microphone-shaped torch onto its stand, elevating the atmosphere to a crescendo.

Subsequently, the stage play "Light-Chasing Youth" debuted alongside its theme song release. Director Yang Tao employed an innovative "environmental theater narrative + stage-time symphony" approach, chronicling Nie Er’s patriotic journey through four acts:  

"Gentle Ripples of Dianchi": Recreating Nie Shouxin’s (Nie Er’s birth name) childhood musical awakening.  

"Torrents of the Pan River": Depicting his artistic awakening in Kunming.  

"Whirling Tides of the Huangpu River": Capturing his creative explosion in Shanghai through workers’ chants and compositions.  

"Mighty Waves of the Yellow River": Culminating in a collective rendition of the "March of the Volunteers", cementing Nie Er’s legacy.

The play blended drama, folk music, song, and dance, shattering stage-audience boundaries for an immersive experience. As the national anthem resounded, the audience stood tall, emotions surging. The theme song, composed by Meng Ke and performed by Yunnan representatives, featured MV shots of Kunming landmarks, highlighting communal participation.

Interactive Installations: Postcards Bridge Musical Sentiments

Two photo spots—"Nie Er’s Violin" and "Symphony of Blossoms: Tree of the Future"—flanked the stage. The violin, adorned with local flowers, evoked Nie Er’s musical passion and Kunming’s "eternal spring." Tourist Ms. Zhang praised its "dignified warmth." The futuristic tree bore tags and Shanghai-Yunnan youth postcards, symbolizing cultural continuity. Fourth-grader Mo Yunxiao observed, "This is another form of musical connection."

Nie Er and Tian Han’s Descendants Pass the Torch with Citizens  

At the opening ceremony, a young girl held a microphone-shaped torch and sang "Graduation Song"—composed by Nie Er and Tian Han—in her youthful voice, igniting the atmosphere across the venue. As she walked toward the stage, a young man took her hand and continued singing, symbolizing the transmission of spirit.

Qing Shan lauded the relay’s solemn symbolism. He stressed adapting Nie Er’s works for modern audiences through innovation, noting, "Music transcends generations; what matters is conveying the meaning and historical weight behind each piece. Successors must innovate upon in-depth research to pass on the torch."

Ouyang Wei, deeply moved, spontaneously sang "Graduation Song" while placing the torch. He revealed the song was created by his grandfather and Nie Er for the film "Plunder of Peach and Plum", gaining fame for its patriotic fervor. "This was no mere ritual," he reflected, "but a unique collaboration rooted in national spirit—one that echoed our predecessors’ voices and convictions. We must study how Nie Er and Tian Han composed the anthems of their time."