A red song singer rouses quake-hit Lushan

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail CRI, July 27, 2016
Adjust font size:

Who is this man in the Red Army uniform? A performer? A tour guide?

Luo Zhiyong performs for people living in a temporary shelter in Lushan county in August 2013 following the earthquake on April 20, 2013. [Photo: Dai Jia]

Luo Zhiyong performs for people living in a temporary shelter in Lushan county in August 2013 following the earthquake on April 20, 2013. [Photo: Dai Jia]

It turned out he was neither.

On a hot summer day in July, more than three years after a devastating earthquake struck Lushan county in Sichuan province on April 20, 2013, Luo Zhiyong was singing "The New Long March: April 20th Lushan" at a restaurant rebuilt after the earthquake.

As usual, he wore his Red Army uniform. Many thought he was a performer or a tour guide, but he was actually a local government official in Lushan who heads the office researching the history of the Communist Party of China.

Over the three years since the earthquake, he has staged more than 100 such performances across the region. His voice is not ideal for a singer and his singing skills are not perfect, but his songs about the Red Army and its Long March has inspired tens of thousands of people during the reconstruction efforts.

The key message he is sending with his songs is the Red Army spirit. In his words, it means optimism, solidarity and never giving up. He believes this is what people need after a natural disaster.

After three years of hard work, the reconstruction in Lushan is basically complete. But Luo Zhiyong says he will continue to sing the red songs, in his Red Army uniform. He believes the Red Army spirit remains relevant as people in the quake region set high goals and work hard to attain them.

Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation.
Print E-mail Bookmark and Share

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)

No comments.

Add your comments...

  • User Name Required
  • Your Comment
  • Enter the words you see:    
    Racist, abusive and off-topic comments may be removed by the moderator.
Send your storiesGet more from China.org.cnMobileRSSNewsletter