Free concert at 4:40PM Sun., June 2 – Wentz Hall
Martin Luther King believed in achieving change through peaceful nonviolent means. Recently I became involved in a project where this is played out through the eyes of an American immigrant, Dr. Fengshi Yang, a Naperville resident and an internationally recognized composer and musician.
Fengshi was a college student in Chicago when the infamous Tiananmen Square massacre happened in Beijing on June 4, 1989. Her overwhelming reaction was analogous to what Americans have felt over shocking and tragic events. Different generations have permanent and searing reactions to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, 9/11, and the assassinations of President Kennedy and Dr. King. And many of us will never forget seeing that unarmed student staring down a tank in Beijing.
Taking a page from Dr. King, Fengshi has used her considerable talent to honor the students who lost their lives asking for democracy. She is giving the Naperville community a free concert. The concert will present several pieces that she has written over the years for the commemoration of Tiananmen. The concert will also premiere Yang’s newly-finished vocal orchestral piece, “Eternal Spring,” inspired by the last manuscript of her late father, a professor of classical music and her mentor and teacher. In addition, the Chinese British novelist Mr. Ma Jian will read from his novel Beijing Coma and a former student and Tiananmen survivor also will speak.
Standing up for change and peace has a cost. As Dr. King said, “We must pursue peaceful ends thru peaceful means.”
Yang has commemorated the anniversary for several years at great cost – she is banned from visiting her family in China.
Dr. King’s words resonate with Dr. Fengshi Yang. She booked Wentz with her own funds to preserve our memories of the massacre. Your attendance would be a meaningful gesture of support.
For more information, email EMW@wideopenwest.com or call (331) 333-6489.
