Long March memories live on through village traditions in Gansu

Ninety years ago, during the Long March, the First and Fourth Front Armies of the Red Army joined forces in Huining county, Gansu province. In the county's Hongbuzi village, residents provided the soldiers with grain and other supplies. The soldiers left IOUs for the grain they took, promising to repay the villagers after the revolution — a gesture that reflected the Red Army's emphasis on maintaining close ties with the people.

That memory has been passed down through generations in Hongbuzi, where the Long March spirit of relying on and supporting the people remains part of the local heritage.

In neighboring Tuoying village, residents have brought the story to life through a modern Qinqiang Opera performance, using a traditional Chinese theatrical form to share the history with new audiences. Since June 2021, the local folk orchestra has staged 116 performances, reaching an audience of 289,000.

As gongs and drums ring out onstage, the story of the Red Army and its ties with local communities continues to reach new generations.