"Deep in Memory" is a dance drama showing the atrocities of the Nanjing Massacre. It was performed at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing over the weekend.

The piece is inspired by the book, "The Rape of Nanking," by Chinese-American writer Iris Chang. The production probes through that period of history through real figures like John Rabe and Minnie Vautrin. The brutal crime against humanity, and one of the darkest pages in human history, is reincarnated on stage. The show, directed by Tong Ruirui and performed by the Jiangsu Performing Arts Group, follows the stories of survivors and witnesses of the Nanjing Massacre.

The carnage took place when invading Japanese troops captured Nanjing in 1937. More than 300,000 Chinese were killed in a six-week rampage that began on December 13 that year. It started from Tong's stage debut, entitled "Nanking 1937," which depicted Iris Chang. The Chinese-American journalist penned the bestselling book "The Rape of Nanking," which chronicles of the atrocities committed by occupying Japanese forces. Chang killed herself at the age of 36. Tong directed "Nanking 1937" in 2005 and the idea of making a second piece has kept growing since. 

"'Deep in Memory' is quite different. It doesn't have a linear structure as 'Nanjing 1937' does, but it features Iris Chang," Tong said. "When we present the history for today's audiences, we want them to have a conversation with the characters onstage and also with themselves. Another thing to be noted is that usually when I choreograph a piece, I put aesthetics first, but not this one.”

“'Deep in Memory' is all about reality, we have real historical figures like John Rabe and Minnie Vautrin, survivors like Li Xiuying and Japanese soldier Shiro Azuma, who confessed to committing the crimes. The beauty comes from the brilliance of human nature and people like John Rabe, who tried their best to stop the Japanese army," she added. 

Chinese dancer Tang Shiyi plays the lead role of Iris Chang, who in the dance drama establishes a link with the main historical figures from the book. 

"When preparing for this piece, I remember there's this sculpture at the museum for the Nanjing Massacre victims, a woman crying, there's actual water pouring down her face as tears, and visitors can use towels to dry her tears, but it just won't stop. I was deeply touched and wanted to know more,” Tang said.

“Through reading Iris Chang's book and John Rabe's diaries, I gained a deeper understanding of that period of history. When performing on stage, I get really emotional and couldn't help crying. I have to be moved myself in order to move the audience. I think the title of the dance ‘Deep in Memory' is not just in Iris Chang's memory, but also in every one of us," Tang said.

After Beijing, the dance drama will be staged in Nanjing Thursday and Friday for the National Memorial Day for the Nanjing Massacre Victims. 

Just as the director says, "Remember history but not with hatred." Because only when we remember the bitter lessons of the war and massacre, can we better cherish the peace we now live in. Only when we forgive those who have truly learned a lesson from history, can we move forward to a better future.