In Beijing parks, seniors still sing praises of Mao
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In Beijing, China, around one hundred retirees gather three mornings a week in Tuanjiehu Park to sing songs honoring Mao Zedong.
These seniors grew up with Mao’s image in their homes and his “Little Red Book” readily available, and they represent a fading link to a past that their children and grandchildren are less familiar with.
Some experienced hardship during the Great Leap Forward (1958-1961) and the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), but they now find purpose and health benefits in these gatherings. Yongli, a 77-year-old Beijing native, participates in the singing and fast-paced walking, believing it keeps him healthy and optimistic.
His family has lived in Beijing for three generations, and he recalls a protected upbringing during the early years of the Cultural Revolution, including a trip to Mao’s birthplace in Shaoshan, Hunan province, thanks to his sister’s connections. Sociologist Justine Rochot, researching aging in China at the French Institute for Research on East Asia, notes that these songs provide positive emotions for the retirees. She suggests that these gatherings help them forget daily problems and maintain their well-being.
The group’s continued practice demonstrates a dedication to remembering an era whose memory is becoming harder to pass on to younger generations.
