Chinese theater, promoter fined for altered patriotic song in a comedy show
BANGKOK (AP) — Authorities fined two companies and said that one of China’s best-known comedians had caused a “negative impact” on society, after an audience reported him for changing the lyrics of a patriotic song…
Beijing authorities imposed a fine on two companies and deemed that renowned comedian Guo Degang had caused societal harm, following an audience member's complaint about the alteration of a patriotic song during a performance. The Wuhan City Culture and Tourism Bureau discovered that Guo had "assimilated" a patriotic song, fining both the hosting company and the theater for breaching regulations on commercial performances.
Further investigations by Wuhan authorities are expected, though the nature of the penalties remains undisclosed. Guo is regarded as the leading performer of traditional xiangsheng, a comedic art form using wordplay and rhymes. He has been under investigation since August, as reported by local media. Authorities stated, "Revolutionary songs carry the memory of the Chinese nation’s War of Resistance and the feelings of the people.
No organization or person can be allowed to distort or misrepresent them," highlighting the significance of the Chinese resistance against Japan that began in 1937. The performance, which complied with prior approval by Wuhan authorities, violated regulations when Guo introduced mocking words at the end of the song, "Playing My Beloved Pipa," a composition from the 1950s film "Railway Guerrilla."
The song's lyrics originate from a well-known 1950s film depicting Communist-led guerrillas fighting Japanese forces during World War II. The pipa is a traditional Chinese stringed instrument resembling a lute.
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