February 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.
(People's Daily 02/02/01)
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