On November 17th and 18th, an original drama about the great master Zhou Zhihong went onstage for three consecutive times at Zhihong Hall of SUES. The archetype of the drama was Zhou Zhihong, a leading metallurgist and the first honorary president of SUES. With the main body of the cast of characters being students from SUES, the drama reproduced, through the time and space of history, Zhou’s patriotism and determination to serve the country.
President Yu Tao, Vice Presidents Zhu Xiaoqing and Xia Chunming, Vice President of Shanghai Academy of Educational Sciences, and other representatives of faculty and students gathered at Zhihong Hall for the first public performance of the drama.
President Yu Tao and other representatives gave their regards to the cast and crew of the drama upon their debut.
President Yu Tao expressed his gratitude to all the cast and crew, and affirmed their dedication in the process of drama creation. President Yu said: “The drama means not only a retrospection and interpretation of the legendary life of the old president of SUES Zhou Zhihong, but also a legacy of his spirits, which I believe, in your process of rehearsal and performance, will impress you in a deeper way.” He also encouraged students to pass on the master’s spirits—optimism, determination and perseverance, and inspire the youth to participate in telling the stories of great masters, and spreading the spirits of masters to enrich the campus culture.
A drama of the great master presents a history of education. The whole drama was unrolled along the timeline of former president Zhou Zhihong’s memories in his late years, telling his progression from a small young man to an old established professor: pursuing education in the United States, insisting on returning to China, striving for China’s steel plants, promoting technological innovations, and cultivating talents for the country. The four-act play unfolds a time-travelling odyssey of a great legendary metallurgist.
