"Wind is roaring, horses are neighing, the Yellow River is raging..." — the iconic song "Defend the Yellow River" is widely known in Lanhe Town, Nansha District, Guangzhou, the birthplace of its composer, Xian Xinghai.
"My favorite song is 'Defend the Yellow River'!" said Xu Ying, a student at Nansha Xinhai Primary School. Xu and her school choir are rehearsing daily for a mass chorus this September in Lanhe, where choirs from across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will perform this iconic piece.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 120th anniversary of Xian Xinghai's birth. Liang Zhixin, executive director of the Happy Voice Choir, noted that over 10 choirs from Hong Kong, Macao, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and beyond have joined the upcoming Greater Bay Area mass chorus.
Lanhe Town officials recently visited Xian Nina, daughter of composer Xian Xinghai, now in her 80s. She was deeply moved to hear that local children still sing "Defend the Yellow River", a piece that has been passed down for over 80 years. "Music is not just music," she said. "'The Yellow River Cantata' was born in hardship. Through singing, children should learn history, foster friendship, and understand responsibility.”
Lanhe's themed cultural activities have boosted research and study tour visits, drawing interest in both its rich red heritage and the revitalized intangible cultural tradition of Xiangyunsha, a traditional Guangdong silk fabric. Leveraging the "High-Quality Development Project for Guangdong's Counties, Towns, and Villages", the town has integrated rural tourism routes into its growth strategy. The songs still echo — and life continues to flourish.
Reporter | Li Xindi, Fu Peng, Yu Yanling
Photo | Lanhe Town of Nansha District, Guangzhou
Editor | Liu Lingzhi, James Campion, Shen He
