A commemorative concert marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War was held at the Royal College of Music on Thursday evening.

The theme song from the documentary The Sinking of Lisbon Maru: Long Way From Home set the tone for the evening, offering a poignant reminder of the sacrifices of WWII and the enduring hope for peace:

"Crushing waves cannot silence my call.
Silent darkness cannot block out the light.
As you fight in the daggers and bullets,
Yells to the hero in my tear washed eyes."

Hosted by the Chinese Embassy in the UK, the event featured a keynote speech by Ambassador Zheng Zeguang, who underlined the historic partnership between China and Britain during the war. 

"The Chinese people and the British people fought shoulder to shoulder as allies, made great contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, and helped to establish a new international order," he said.

"Tonight, we will use music to remember that part of history, and honour those who laid down their lives for the cause of justice and humanity. We will use music to express our aspiration for world peace, as well as our resolute commitment to striving for a better shared future for mankind," the ambassador added.

The concert brought together the Hunan Province Song and Dance Theatre, New Element Music, the London City Orchestra, and the Camden Philharmonia Orchestra, who performed a wide-ranging repertoire of Western and Chinese classics symbolizing resilience, hope, and peace. Highlights included Schindler's List and Elgar's Nimrod.

Showcasing China's musical heritage, the Erhu and Chamber Ensemble presented Xiaoxiang Rhapsody, a landmark contemporary folk composition that blends traditional melodies with orchestral textures to evoke patriotism and wartime resilience. 

The choir delivered a stirring rendition of Defend the Yellow River, an excerpt from Xian Xinghai's Yellow River Cantata. 

Written during the anti-Japanese war, the piece became a spiritual call to arms, awakening in the Chinese people an unyielding courage to resist and an unbreakable determination to survive and prevail.

The concert concluded with My Motherland, a beloved patriotic anthem that resonates across generations in China, leaving the audience with a powerful sense of unity and pride.

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