The dance drama "The Flowers of War" will take the stage at the Hunan Grand Theater on the evening of December 5, as part of the "Elegance of Hunan· Stage Classics" serial performances. Audiences will be brought back to the war-torn Nanjing of 1937 to witness an epic of sacrifice and redemption, told through the power of silent dance.
The dance drama "The Flowers of War" tells a moving story set in 1937 after the Japanese army invaded Nanjing, between a group of schoolgirls hiding in a college and a number of Qinhuai singing girls seeking refuge from the war. Directed by Lang Kun, the production employs a dual-heroine structure, unfolding the story through the perspectives of Shu Juan and Yu Mo. Focusing on the theme of "protecting the young," it highlights the extraordinary strength of women in the face of brutal reality.
The visual language of the stage gives soul to this production. The most profoundly moving element is the "108 bricks inscribed with the names of victims." These are not merely cold set pieces but silent narrators. When stacked, they form the broken walls of Nanjing: a physical shelter and yet a prison; when scattered, they symbolize the collapse and ruins of the Chinese people's spiritual world. And when characters gently lift and place them with care, the act symbolizes mourning for the departed and rebuilding memory.
In addition, the drama makes extensive use of innovative stage technologies and modern techniques in sound, lighting, and digital effects, creating immersive experiences for the audience.
This performance is part of the "Elegance of Hunan· Stage Classics" series, which is organized by the Publicity Department of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee. Since its launch, the series has won widespread acclaim among local audiences for its artistic standards and accessible pricing. Building on this success, the Hunan Grand Theater is continuing its accessibility drive in 2025, with tickets for the series priced at just 39.9 yuan. Interested audiences can follow the official WeChat account of the Hunan Grand Theater to purchase tickets and immerse themselves in the art.