The Double Ninth Festival (Chongyang Festival) arrives year after year, and today marks its return once again. To commemorate the occasion, the Memorial Hall of the Nanjing Massacre Victims (by Japanese Invaders) held a ceremony to award certificates to the third batch of Nanjing Massacre Historical Memory Inheritors.Nine descendants of Nanjing Massacre survivors, including Cao Yurong, Wang Jinqin, and Chen Rong, received the certificates, officially becoming the "Historical Memory Inheritors of the Nanjing Massacre".

From the “Post-50s Generation” to the “Post-00s Generation,” the Third Batch of Historical Memory Inheritors Carries on the Heritage

As the years go by, the number of living survivors of the Nanjing Massacre has steadily diminished, with only 32 still alive today. In order to safeguard historical truth and inherit historical memory, the Memorial Hall of the Nanjing Massacre Victims (by Japanese Invaders)initiated a registration program for the families of Nanjing Massacre victims since 2014, and has certified two batches of 23 "Historical Memory Inheritors of the Nanjing Massacre" in 2022 and 2023.

The "Historical Memory Inheritors of the Nanjing Massacre" come from the second, third and even fourth generations of Nanjing Massacre survivors.While they come from diverse backgrounds, they share a profound reverence for history and a commitment to revealing the historical truth of the Nanjing Massacre.

Survivors Ai Yiying and Liu Minsheng Present Certificates to the Historical Memory Inheritors

Director Zhou Feng PresentsCertificates to the Historical Memory Inheritors (Photo by Gu Wei)

Survivors Ai Yiying and Liu Minsheng with the third batch of Historical Memory Inheritors

Ren Ying and her son, Yu Tianxiang, represent the family of survivor Xue Yujuan. Ren Ying is an instructor of elementary morality and rule of law at the Teacher Development Center of Yuhuatai District, Nanjing, and was involved in the compilation of the Readings of National Memorial Ceremony for Nanjing Massacre Victims (Elementary School Edition) - Memory of Blood and Fire in 2014.“I participated in the compilation of the National Memorial Reader to guide primary school students in understanding historical facts, fulfilling the mission of inheriting historical memory. In the future, I will explore more ways to share this history, helping more people understand the truth of the Nanjing Massacre,” she said.

Ren Ying

Nine-year-old Yu Tianxiang, a "post-00s generation" student, is the youngestinheritor in this batch. "I hope that my son will gain courage and responsibility and become a responsible person by participating in the historical memory inheritance activities. In the future, he will act as a young storyteller, sharing our family’s story with his classmates. He will also come to participate in volunteer activities at the Memorial Hall to call on more people at his age to remember history." Ren Ying said.

Yu Tianxiang

Jiang Bingchun, a "post-00s generation" college student, is the great-grandson of survivor Chen Guixiang who once traveled to Japan to testify at a historical rally. “Through video, I saw guilt for the past and admiration for the elderly in the eyes of Japanese youth.From that moment, the seed of spreading historical truth took root in my heart,” he said.Jiang Bingchun is currently studying Broadcasting and Hosting at Nanjing University of the Arts. He said that sound is a vital medium for preserving memory. “In the future, I will use my professional skills to share my great-grandmother’s experiences with more people, keeping history alive through my voice.”

Jiang Bingchun

"Post-90s Generation" youth Ruan Jie, is the grandson of survivor Ruan Dingdong.Influenced by his grandfather, after graduating from university, he joined the “Zijin Grass” volunteer team of the Memorial Hall. In his spare time, he volunteers at the hall, sharing his grandfather’s story with visitors from around the world.

Ruan Jie

Caring for Survivors on the Double Ninth Festival, Wishing Them Longevity and Wellness

On the eve of the Double Ninth Festival this year, staff from the Memorial Hall, the Nanjing Aid Association for the Victims of Atrocities by Japanese Invaders, and volunteers from "Zijin Grass" visited Nanjing Massacre survivors to extend warmth and blessings.

A health care team composed of medical volunteers provided door-to-door professional health services, patiently answering the survivors’ health questions and offering guidance on medication use.

The Memorial Hall also filmed videos for the elderly survivors, recording their testimonies and current living conditions, and preserving these invaluable memories for future generations.