The seventy-seventh anniversary of the death of Mao Zedong, the founder of the People's Republic of China, was commemorated with a passionate and emotional ceremony in his hometown, Shaoshan. Mao's supporters, mostly university students, revived his memory by placing wreaths, bottles of liquor, and cigarettes at the foot of his ۱۰-meter bronze statue.
Paying Respect to a Leader
Hundreds of visitors stood in line respectfully to bow before Mao's statue and observed a moment of silence. Deng, a ۲۸-year-old visitor, said he was inspired by Mao's spirit and holds him in high regard. He noted, "Today, due to the fiftieth anniversary, I felt I had to come here and honor him, as such an opportunity comes only once in a lifetime." The night before, about ۱,۰۰۰ passionate supporters, some in traditional Mao clothing, gathered for an emotional ceremony, chanting "Long live Mao" and singing revolutionary songs in his memory.
Nostalgia for the Mao Era
Shaoshan, promoted as a 'red tourism' destination, has attracted visitors interested in China's communist history. Visitors have stood in long lines to enter Mao's childhood home, where he reportedly worked in agriculture. A ۶۳-year-old visitor from Shanghai said, "We should never forget those who dug the well," referring to Mao's achievements in transforming China into a developed and strong country.
However, no one can escape the heavy shadow of Mao's history. His rule was marked by great famines and a bloody Cultural Revolution that claimed millions of lives, with many considering it one of the darkest periods in China's history. Yet, while the Communist Party of China acknowledges this period as a 'mistake,' Mao is still portrayed as a hero in official narratives.
The younger generation of China, facing the pressures of daily life, seems to be looking back at their past history in search of answers to today's challenges. According to one young person, these pressures have led youth to think about the Mao era and seek meaning in history.
