Snapshot of the performance at the Wuxi venue. [Photo provided to wuxi.gov.cn]
The Spring Festival is a shared traditional holiday within the Chinese cultural sphere. These days, at least billions of people celebrate this festive occasion. Several Asian countries celebrate the Spring Festival, but its origins can be traced back to China. On the lively Chinese New Year's Eve, besides having the reunion dinner and making dumplings, the must-watch program is undoubtedly the CCTV Spring Festival Gala. While I watch the gala every year, this year is particularly special and anticipated for me because the special sub-venue is located in my second hometown, Wuxi. This news filled me with excitement and anticipation. Upon hearing this good news, some friends who have lived in Wuxi before and I couldn't wait and felt a deep sense of homesickness.
According to statistics from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, there are approximately 800,000 long-term resident overseas Chinese people in Japan (holding green cards). If we include Chinese nationals who have obtained Japanese citizenship, the number is not less than 1 million. If we further consider war orphans and their families from Northeast China during World War II, company employees with working relationships with China, academics engaged in exchanges, and Japanese nationals with Chinese relatives, the total number amounts to at least over 10 million, accounting for nearly one-tenth of Japan's total population, making it a significant demographic.
I was sent to China by my company in the late 1980s to manage a plant, and then in the mid-1990s, I operated a business in Wuxi, spending 23 years there. During my time in Wuxi, especially from the late 1990s to the early 21st century, there were probably the highest number of Japanese residents in Wuxi. According to statistics from the Japanese Investment Enterprise Association at that time, there were even times when there were over 10,000 Japanese residents.
During that time, during the Spring Festival and even on regular days, the Jiari Square in the city's Xinwu district and various hotels in Wuxi were crowded with Japanese residents and tourists, bustling with activity. Although most of these people have now retired, and the majority have returned to Japan, I believe they, like me, often reminisce about China, particularly Wuxi, and especially on this festive Spring Festival, they hope to celebrate the festival with their colleagues and friends in Wuxi, looking forward to enjoying the colorful Spring Festival Gala together, despite the distance between them.
"Spring Festival" in Japan was a colorful New Year celebration before the Meiji Restoration, similar to the festivities in China every year. However, due to the promotion of "Westernization" during the Meiji Restoration, the Chinese New Year was replaced by the Gregorian calendar's New Year's Day, resulting in a loss of traditional New Year's atmosphere. Fortunately, in Japan, places like Yokohama's Chinatown, Kobe's Nanjing Street, and Nagasaki's Chinatown, where local overseas Chinese reside, still retain the authentic traditional customs of the Spring Festival. Whether it's dragon-shaped lanterns or lion dance, children playing with drum-shaped rattles, young boys and girls walking on stilts, or land boat dance and other performances, these celebrations demonstrate the strong vitality of Chinese culture in Japan.
Five years ago, I had to return to Japan for my wife's treatment for Parkinson's disease, leaving behind Wuxi, where I had lived for 23 years. This departure was a painful farewell, and I felt deeply reluctant to go (I even wrote a song called Farewell to Wuxi for this occasion). During the days and nights after leaving Wuxi, I often found myself reminiscing about my friends in Wuxi, the beautiful landscapes of Taihu Lake, and the historical culture and music of Wuxi that I cherished.
China and Japan are known as "close neighbors separated by a strip of water", and although the distance between them is close yet far, over five years have passed since our separation, making it seem increasingly distant. Strangely, my memories of Wuxi have not faded with time; on the contrary, all my memories of Wuxi, especially those profoundly touching ones, have become even more vivid and nostalgic as time passes, lingering in my thoughts and dreams.
I often participate in community activities in Hiroshima, where I currently reside. Whenever I mention Wuxi, I'm surprised that only a few people are familiar with this beautiful city. Most people need reminders to recall its existence. Many need me to explain that Wuxi is located between Shanghai and Nanjing, beside Suzhou, so that they can grasp its location. Later, I discovered that the song Love Story in Wuxi is quite well-known in Japan. Just mentioning this song helps even locals who have never traveled to understand the city of Wuxi.
I finally understood that the visibility of Wuxi as a commercial and industrial city, a prominent area for Japanese investments, is often limited to specific social circles associated with the business community in Japan's major cities. However, the general population of small and medium-sized cities is only familiar with major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, and Guangzhou or tourist destinations like Suzhou. Still, they know little about Wuxi, an ancient and beautiful city. It's a pity that such a prominent "commercial and industrial city" lacks recognition in Japan compared to the profound impact of a song like Love Story in Wuxi. The widespread dissemination of such a song has made even homebodies aware of Wuxi, albeit with a vague understanding, at least knowing about Wuxi's existence near Shanghai and Suzhou.
This is the charm of songs and art, possessing unparalleled promotional effects. History, culture (including art), music, and sports constitute a city's soft power. If a "commercial and industrial city" is a golden signboard, soft power is its "brilliant gem", which radiates a dazzling light. With outstanding talents and natural beauty, mountains and waters, dragons and immortals, Wuxi will become renowned far and wide.
The tourism industry is known as a "smokeless industry", and a place like Wuxi, with numerous star-rated scenic spots, high-quality hotels, and convenient transportation by land, water, and air, is an excellent place for developing tourism. In terms of soft power, Wuxi has many human stories (even depicted in the Spring Festival Gala) and numerous historical sites. I once tried to introduce the hidden beauty of Wuxi to the world through songs. I hope more friends from other places can understand all aspects of Wuxi through songs, truly experiencing the "warmth and water" of Wuxi.
Wuxi's music has had outstanding works created by Liu Tianhua, A Bing, and others, followed by emotionally stirring songs like Jasmine Flower and Taihu Lake Water later on. Additionally, with strong teams like the Wuxi Opera Troupe, Wuxi Dance Drama Troupe, Wuxi Traditional Orchestra, Wuxi Symphony Orchestra, and Shanhe Chorus, the potential in cultural arts is not to be underestimated. I heard that in 2024, Wuxi's per capita GDP ranked first in the country, and with financial resources, there should be a corresponding rise in soft power. I believe that in the future, Wuxi can create a "City of Music", "City of Culture", "City of Tourism", "City of Gourmet", "City of Livability", "City of Calligraphy and Painting", "City of Sports", and more.
By choosing Wuxi as the sub-venue for the Spring Festival Gala, CCTV not only recognizes Wuxi as a commercial and industrial city but also acknowledges and commends the city's achievements in urban development, heritage preservation, intangible cultural heritage promotion, and the prestigious status of its cultural arts over the past few decades. For those like us who consider ourselves new citizens of Wuxi, these remarkable accomplishments are a source of pride. Peace and prosperity are symbols of prosperity and stability, and the Spring Festival Gala is the highest platform for showcasing outstanding Chinese artistic works.
The scenes chosen for the sub-venue of the Spring Festival Gala in Wuxi truly showcase the most authentic aspects of Wuxi, featuring the sails in Yuantouzhu Scenic Area, the teahouses of Nanchan Temple, the ancient temples at Huishan Ancient Town, the quaint blue-stone old streets, the courtyard gardens typical of the Jiangnan region, ancient charm and new vitality of Nanchang Street, the riverside homes by the famous Qingming Bridge, and the colorful flow of the ancient canal.
The ancient charm and new vitality bloom amidst fireworks displays, while the colorful lanterns reflect the performances of songs and dances. The melody of Scenes of Wuxi runs through the entire performance, the erhu ensemble tugging at the heartstrings, the pleasant sounds of pingtan, and beautiful women dancing gracefully. All display a lively and vibrant scene.
Even though I am currently in Hiroshima, I can still share in the festive atmosphere of the Chinese New Year's Eve with the people of Wuxi, both old and new, through CCTV and the Spring Festival Gala. After five years, I can virtually revisit the streets and alleys of Wuxi where I spent 23 years, celebrating the Spring Festival with everyone, making me dance with joy and excitement as if I had returned to those days. Listening to the Chinese New Year's bell ringing, I sincerely pray for the well-being of the people of Wuxi, hoping for the city to prosper even more! May the people be happier and healthier!
I love Wuxi!
I love Jiangnan!
I love China more!
