In an interview with The Epoch Times, composer T expressed that the tone of the song “35th Anniversary of ’64 Memorial” is full of pathos, yet also brimming with vitality and hope. She mentioned that the song indeed carries the weight of history within it.
The term “64 Incident” refers to the democratic movement initiated by Chinese mainland university students in mid-April 1989 at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, which lasted for nearly two months. On the night of June 3rd to the early morning of June 4th, the Chinese Communist Party’s military brutally suppressed the protests at Tiananmen Square, shocking the world with the bloody violence. Declassified British documents reveal that the military killed tens of thousands of people that year.
T, who lived through the events of June 4th, recollected how during that time, almost every city in China saw students taking to the streets in protests, experiencing the grand and tumultuous nationwide demonstrations. She recalled the fervor and idealism of the people back then, filled with hope and expressing their concerns in the hope of a better future for the country.
“When I returned to my alma mater to study English, I found that no one was talking about the ’64 Incident anymore, including the faculty and students,” T said, reflecting on the changing attitudes towards the event over the years.
Upon her arrival in the United States shortly after the events of June 4th, T noticed that discussions about the incident had faded in China. Despite her own personal connection to the student protests, she felt disheartened by the apparent collective amnesia regarding the historic event.
T encountered a Christian family in the U.S. who shared a recording with her, a song composed for “64” by their daughter. Although her English skills were limited at the time, the melody deeply moved her, reigniting her desire to create a similar song in Chinese.
Despite not having prior experience in singing or songwriting, T held onto the idea of composing a song commemorating the “64 Incident” for over three decades. She mentioned how advancements in music software made it easier for hobbyists like herself to create music.
As T delved into creating the song, juggling her busy work schedule with her passion for songwriting, she found solace in the immense effort required to produce a multi-track composition that captured the essence of the historical event.
The release of the song “35th Anniversary of ’64 Memorial” by the 64 Culture Communication Association aims to ensure that the memory of the “64 Incident” endures in the collective consciousness. The production team, comprising individuals who experienced the events of ’64, believes that the song fills a void in the representation of the patriotic democratic movement.
T expressed her gratitude towards the anonymous singers and her family for their support throughout the song’s production. She acknowledged the trepidation she felt upon the song’s release, as well as her hesitance towards interviews, underscoring the lingering atmosphere of fear that persists even among overseas communities.
In closing, T urged people, especially those in Taiwan, not to be intimidated by the Chinese Communist Party’s tactics, emphasizing the importance of unveiling the truth and not succumbing to fear. She highlighted the continuous malevolence of the regime and urged vigilance against its deceptive façade.