Activities to Be Held in Memory of Lao She's 102 Birthday in BeijingFebruary 3 marks the 102 birthday of Lao She, a famous and late man of letters, in whose memory a serial activities will be conducted, which will help rouse once again a great fervor for his writings in Beijing, the capital of China.From Feb. 3 to 5, 2001, Beijing Literary and Art Association and Beijing Foundation for Literary and Art Works of Lao She will jointly hold a retrospective show of films adapted from Lao She's works. It is the first time in China that such a film-show is going to be held in memory of a late writer. The films to be shown include the following five: "The Teahouse", "Divorce", "The Crescent Moon", "The Rickshaw Boy" and "The Ballad Singer", which are well known among the audiences. The State Administration of Cultural Relics invested six million yuan for the reparation and renovation of the former living quarters of Lao She located in Fengfu Lane, Eastern City District. As the small courtyard features two persimmon-trees planted by Lao She in person it is named by his wife as the "Scarlet Persimmon Courtyard". With the original persimmon-trees still well kept in it after reparation the courtyard is freshened with delicate and colorful flowers and other plants, making it look even more vigorous and livelier. In addition to the commemorative activities and discussions, displayed in the former residence are articles of his daily use and the works of his lifetime in an atmosphere as it was when Lao She was living and working here. According to the report of Yangcheng Evening Paper, many visitors have frequented the place since it was opened to public two years ago at his 100 years' birthday. Among them are found many admirers of his works, and especially most of those are from Japan, from countries and regions of Europe and Southeast Asia. Still about to be held at present are the "Exhibition of Calligraphies and Paintings In Memory of Lao She' Birthday Done by Capital Literary and Art Circle During Spring Festival", "Exhibition of Calligraphies and Paintings in Memory of Lao She's Birthday Done by Noted Personage and Artists in China" and the "Special Sales of the Audio-visual Works adapted from Lao She's Works" and so on. Besides, some high-quality VCD of Lao She's works will also be turned out and put on sale by that time with Lao She's films to be shown at CCTV and BTV one in wake of the other. By PD Online staff member Han Rongliang |
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