Commemorating History, Cherishing Peace

On the evening of December 13, marking the 88th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre, representatives from various sectors both domestically and internationally, dressed in solemn attire and holding candles, gathered at the Peace Square of the Memorial Hall to participate in the “Candlelight Vigil • International Peace Assembly.” Together, they mourned the victims and prayed for peace.

In the twilight, candlelight flickered across the Peace Square. As the solemn bugle call of The Memory of Nanjing sounded, the entire assembly stood in silent tribute.

Christoph Reinhardt, the great-grandson of John Rabe, chairman of the International Committee for the Nanking Safety Zone, attended the event. He said he would carry on his forebear’s humanitarian spirit, continue to convey historical truth, and call on people to cherish peace.

Christoph Reinhardt

At the event, art and technology intertwined to convey both solace and hope. Li Linyang, a freshman from the School of Dance at Communication University of China, Nanjing, vividly brought to life a letter written by General Zuo Quan through a choreodrama, creating an emotional dialogue that transcended time and space. Li Linyang, born in 2006, said, “Through the dance, I transformed into a dove of peace. I hope that with this universal language of movement, I can convey to young people around the world this belief: commemorate history and cherish the hard-won peace.”

The Nanjing Zijin Cao Art Troupe Children's Choir performed the original song Peace Blows Over Zijin Cao, soothing hearts with their clear singing.

During the “Building Bridges with Candlelight·Passing on Peace” segment, a girl on site engaged in a cross-temporal dialogue with an AI-generated girl from 1937. As the conversation unfolded, the withered Zijin Cao in the virtual girl’s hands revived and blossomed, symbolizing that pain will eventually pass and spring will inevitably come.

The girl on site, Yue Cen, was an 11-year-old student in Grade 5, Class 16, at Nanjing Foreign Language School, Xianlin Campus. She said that this cross-temporal dialogue moved her deeply. “The peaceful life that the little girl in the scene yearned for is exactly what I have now. I feel very fortunate. I will always remember the suffering she endured. From now on, I want to study even harder and strive to create a better future.”

Sixteen volunteers from China and abroad held candles and walked slowly along the “Bridge of Peace,” symbolically connecting history with the future.

Five representatives from different sectors of society handed glowing Zijin Cao bouquets to the “Zijin Cao Girl” and together formed a “PEACE” light sign. In an instant, lights and shadows illuminated the square, as if a starry river had fallen to the ground. The participants finally merged the candlelights into the shape of a peace dove, symbolizing their heartfelt wish for everlasting light and enduring peace.

Yi Chaoping, grandson of Yi Anhua, a defender of Nanjing during the Battle of Nanjing, came to the event with his daughter, son-in-law, grandson, and granddaughter. He said, “The city my grandfather once defended with his life has become so beautiful today. I brought my children here specifically, hoping that they could learn about the spirit of resistance of our ancestors, draw strength from it, study hard, and contribute to the nation’s prosperity and strength in the future.”

Yi Chaoping (far right), grandson of Yi Anhua, together with his daughter, son-in-law, grandson, and granddaughter • Photo by Gu Wei

Chen Junshi, a patriotic entrepreneur and fellow compatriot from Hong Kong, donated several million yuan in the 1990s to support the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall’s sculpture projects, Monument to the Victims, and the square renovation project. Tonight, his daughter, Chen Yishan, attended the “Candlelight Vigil • International Peace Assembly.” She said, “Many years ago, I visited here with my parents. Decades have passed, and seeing how well the Memorial Hall has developed today, I feel deeply touched.” She also brought along her nephew, adding, “I hope the younger generation will always remember history, understand the hardships and lessons our nation has endured, and thus study with diligence while cherishing peace.”

Chen Yishan

Zhou Feng, Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of CPC Nanjing Municipal Committee and Director of the Memorial Hall, stated that we should draw wisdom from history, rally strength to safeguard peace, let candlelight illuminate the long river of memory and the bright future ahead, so as to jointly create a better tomorrow of peaceful development!