Former Site of the Lantang Popular Drama Troupe

Former Site of the Lantang Popular Drama Troupe

The former site of the Lantang Popular Drama Troupe is located in the town center of Lantang, Zijin County.

In December 1937, to widely promote anti-Japanese salvation efforts, Communist Party member Pan Zuyue, under the name of the Kuomintang’s Anti-Enemy Support Association, established the Lantang Popular Drama Troupe and the Anti-Japanese Song and Chorus Team. Pan Zuyue served as the troupe leader, Du Zhaoxiang as the deputy leader, Du Rongguang as the production manager, and Deng Ningxiang as the chorus team leader. In addition to performing extensively in the Lantang area, the drama troupe also traveled to Shangyi, Haoyi, Jiuhe, Waxi, Feng’an, Guzhu, Yirong, Qingxi, Longwo, Zhongba, and the county seat, staging many anti-Japanese plays and singing patriotic salvation songs. These performances were warmly welcomed by the public, earning the troupe the title “Trumpet of the Resistance.”

The original site has been rebuilt as private shops during the town center redevelopment.

Lantang Town: Located in the southwestern part of Zijin County, Lantang Town covers a total area of 299.8 square kilometers. It governs 26 villages and one neighborhood committee (in December 2004, with approval from the county, Yekeng Village was merged into Shuangxing Village, and Huangsha Village was merged into Hetang Village, reducing the number of administrative villages from 28 to 26). The town has 13,369 households and a total population of 65,008, with 43,930 mu of arable land and 340,000 mu of mountainous land. In 2004, the Lantang Town Committee and Town Government proposed “to strive to be at the forefront of the county’s economic and social development, with a focus on industrial strength, attracting investment… More details about Lantang Town++