In late November, Nguyen Nhi Trang village, Anyang City, Henan province, buzzed like a festival. The sounds of gongs and drums from the Yu opera stage – a local traditional art form – drew thousands from neighboring provinces.
The event was organized by Wang Heyin, a real estate businessman. He hosted a memorial ceremony for the 20th anniversary of his mother's passing from 29/11 to 1/12, also expressing gratitude to neighbors who supported his family during difficult, impoverished years.
To fulfill his late mother's wish, who loved Yu opera, Wang invited the province's most prestigious theater troupe to perform six major plays continuously. The performance cost approximately 240,000 yuan (over 800 million dong).
The Henan Yu opera performance stage on 30/11, organized by Wang Heyin for the local community. *Photo: Red Star News*
Attendees also received free meals. Over 200 volunteers cooked on-site. Hot, rustic dishes like soup and steamed buns were passed around. At peak lunch hours, over 10,000 people stayed to eat.
Before the opening performance, Wang, his wife, children, and siblings bowed on stage to thank the villagers. The businessman wept as he spoke of his mother, a woman born into poverty, orphaned before the age of 10. At 40, her husband died of cancer, leaving her to single-handedly raise five children. Tragedy compounded when, at 54, she lost her youngest son in an accident. She passed away in 2005 after a severe illness.
"My mother lived a life of hardship, yet she was great. I organized this commemoration so that future generations will always remember her sacrifices and uphold kindness," Wang said. Previously, he had hosted feasts for the 3rd, 5th, and 10th death anniversaries, but this occasion was the largest in scale.
Guan Xiaoyu, the head of the theater troupe, stated that the artists performed with dedication upon learning the story behind this grand stage.
The event garnered significant attention on Chinese social media. Most public opinion expressed emotion at Wang's demonstration of filial piety. "Filial devotion is not measured by money. Remembering a mother's preferences for 20 years and sharing that joy with neighbors – that is a precious sentiment," a reader commented.
Video: Crowds watch the opera organized by a son to remember his mother
*Video: Jimu News*
By Bao Nhien (According to Red Star News, Jimu News)
