According to CCTV, the ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War will be held tomorrow (Aug. 3). The layout of the core area of Tiananmen Square is essentially complete. Following the principles of a clear theme, solemnity, simplicity, and safety, the event planning team repeatedly deliberated and refined hundreds of design proposals, ultimately resulting in a striking display of the era name platforms.
The landscape layout of Tiananmen Square for this commemoration follows the principle of "centrality," with Beijing's central axis serving as the main thoroughfare and a symmetrical layout on either side. The colors chosen are also relatively uniform and solemn: red, gold, and green. The most representative features are the two era name platforms, resembling two towering gates slowly opening a grand event. Similarly, the Great Wall, an international cultural symbol, was chosen. At the bottom, a green natural flower bed symbolizes the earth, while above it rises a slowly rising, golden sun, not only embracing two important years but also symbolizing the dawn of progress for the Chinese nation. During the official ceremony, the three-service honor guard will assemble at the foot of the Monument to the People's Heroes.
The layout design for the core area of Tiananmen Square was creatively planned by the design team of the Central Academy of Fine Arts. The color transition of the era name platform echoes the temporary viewing platform with three alternating colors, maintaining the unity of the overall tone while being slightly different in the details.
Tian Zhongli, director of the planning and design department of the commemorative rally support and square activity command center, explained that the square layout features the "year-number platforms" on either side of the Monument to the People's Heroes, supporting the years 1945 and 2025. This perfectly captures the theme of the "United as One" commemorative rally.
The main body of the era name platforms features the Great Wall as its signature design language, echoing the Great Wall patterns on the plaza's surrounding greenery. Seven peace doves, one on each side, symbolize the Chinese nation's glorious 14-year War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The design is based on the "Beijing White," a native Chinese dove. After in-depth analysis of the dove's skeletal structure, the designers ultimately chose to use a combination of round sculpture and relief to recreate the doves' vivid poses.
Tian Zhongli said that the 14 peace doves are also the key theme of the design of this year's name platform. They represent the peace that hundreds of millions of Chinese people and peace-loving people around the world pursue and cherish together.
Ceremony Service Kit: A Blend of Aesthetics, Practicality, and Commemorative Significance
During the commemorative event on Aug. 3, in line with the principles of serving the public and practicing frugality, Beijing prepared service kits for attendees, providing temporary essential supplies. So, what makes the design of these service kits particularly thoughtful?
According to reports, at the storage warehouse for the attendee service kits, these bags have been fully loaded and are ready for distribution. Let's take a closer look at the external design and functional features of the service kit. It includes a small top pocket for storing essential oils and tissues, a lower pocket for holding a backpack pouch, and a side mesh pocket designed for carrying a water bottle or flask. These features basically meet the needs of attendees during their time in the square.
Notably, the arrangement of these three pockets forms the number "80"— a design that corresponds to the theme of this year's 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance.
The service kits come in three distinct colors: Wall Red, Bounty Gold, andOlive Green. Each color matches the seating arrangements in the square, meaning attendees receive a service kit color that corresponds to their designated seating section.
The body of the service kit is also adorned with the official emblem of the commemorative ceremony. Designed as a versatile carry-all bag, it features dedicated compartments for various items, achieving a perfect balance of commemorative significance, aesthetic appeal, and practical functionality.
Every item included in the kit was carefully selected through multiple rounds of consideration. The kit contains 12 types of articles for attendees, including not only beverages such as mineral water and electrolyte drinks to replenish fluids and energy, but also outdoor supplies like sun hats and rain ponchos to accommodate various weather conditions. Additionally, it is equipped with national flags and commemorative ceremony flags, enhancing the sense of occasion and solemnity.
Ren Siyu, a staff member from the On-site Services and Supplies Department at the viewing platform service headquarters, explained that each gift bag is meticulously packaged and designed to ensure a seamless fit, maintaining overall aesthetics and neatness. After all packaging steps are completed, each bag is weighed, with each weighing between 1.47 and 1.52 kilograms.
Themed Floral Displays Attract Residents and Tourists with Meticulous Details
During the commemorative events, Beijing unveiled 10 large themed floral installations along Chang'an Avenue, centered around the theme "Remember History, Honor the Fallen, Cherish Peace, and Create the Future." These elaborate displays have attracted large numbers of citizens and tourists for photo opportunities and visits.
According to reports, the themed floral installations along Chang'an Avenue are now fully complete and open to the public. They are located at the two rainbow gates at Jianguomen and Fuxingmen, as well as at the four corners of Dongdan and Xidan intersections.
At the southeast corner of Dongdan, the floral theme is "Ode to the Yellow River." Standing 8.5 meters tall, the installation recreates the magnificent scene of the Hukou Waterfall. The sound of rushing water is clearly audible, playing for 15 minutes every hour starting from 9 AM, accompanied by the powerful music of The Yellow River Cantata. Just as the lyrics describe, "The wind roars, the horses neigh, the Yellow River thunders," the installation captures the grand momentum of the "Yellow River pouring down from the heavens," symbolizing the indomitable and majestic spirit of the Chinese people.
Over 300 varieties of flowers were used in the flowerbeds along Chang'an Avenue, including over 100 new and superior varieties and native plants. Forty new varieties with independent intellectual property rights were showcased for the first time. The fragrant blossoms attracted butterflies, creating a beautiful spectacle that attracted numerous visitors.
(Source: CCTV News, Xinhua, Beijing Youth Daily, Ta Kung Pao | English Editor: Liu Yu)
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