InPics | Revolutionary-themed drama and volunteer performer's visit to Long March ferry-Xinhua

Actors perform a revolutionary-themed drama at a ferry in Yudu County, east China's Jiangxi Province, July 28, 2026.

NANCHANG, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Near a monument commemorating the Central Red Army's Long March departure in Yudu County, east China's Jiangxi Province, a revolutionary-themed drama recreates the farewells of mothers to sons and wives to husbands as soldiers set out more than 90 years ago.

Among the volunteer performers is 70-year-old Wang Huiqun, who plays a role seeing off the departing soldiers with food in her hands.

Wang Huiqun waits to go on stage ahead of the performance of a revolutionary-themed drama at a ferry in Yudu County, east China's Jiangxi Province, Aug. 18, 2026.

This undated photo shows the portrait of Wang Zhixian.

More than 90 years ago, her father, Wang Zhixian, was among the Central Red Army soldiers who crossed the Yudu River at the start of the Long March, a 1934-1936 military maneuver that helped lay the foundation for the eventual victory of the Communist Party of China.

"My father always told us that we must never forget those who fought for the peaceful life we enjoy today," Wang Huiqun recalled.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Wang Zhixian worked for many years in Hui'an County, southeast China's Fujian Province, before returning to his hometown in Jiangxi. After suffering a stroke in his later years, he became partially paralyzed.

Wang Huiqun visits a ferry in Yudu County, east China's Jiangxi Province, July 31, 2026.

This photo taken on Dec. 8, 2004 shows Wang Zhixian at his home in Yudu County, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Photo by Liu Nianhai/Xinhua)

Wang Huiqun took good care of her father, giving her a chance to gain a deep understanding of her father's stories.

When volunteers were recruited to perform the revolutionary-themed drama, Wang Huiqun signed up without hesitation.

"I am the descendant of a Red Army soldier. It is my duty to carry forward the spirit of the Long March," she said.

Wang Huiqun has taken part in more than 800 performances of the drama. The scene of "a mother seeing off her son" is especially moving for her. Whenever the onstage "son" calls "mother," Wang Huiqun is reminded of her grandmother seeing off her father as he left for the Long March.

This photo taken on July 31, 2026 shows Wang Huiqun at a ferry in Yudu County, east China's Jiangxi Province.

This undated photo shows a group photo of Wang Zhixian's family. (Xinhua)

Wang Huiqun (R) goes to a ferry to participate in the performance of a revolutionary-themed drama in Yudu County, east China's Jiangxi Province, July 31, 2026.

Wang Zhixian sitting on the wheelchair is accompanied by a family member in Yudu County, east China's Jiangxi Province, Dec. 8, 2004. (Photo by Liu Nianhai/Xinhua)

Actors perform a revolutionary-themed drama at a ferry in Yudu County, east China's Jiangxi Province, July 31, 2026.

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Long March.

Although she had moved to Yudu County with her father at the age of 14, Wang Huiqun had never visited the ferry where her father crossed the river during the Long March. In July this year, she finally made the trip.

Now Wang Huiqun hopes to take her grandson to the ferry one day so he can see where his great-grandfather set out on the Long March and experience firsthand the Long March history that has been passed down through generations.