"Xiakeng Village" is almost cut off from the rest of the world by enclosing huge mountains. "Mao Kaishan," secretary of the party branch of Xiakeng Village, and some villagers are building a road with shovels on a winding trail up a precipice... This scene of the modern drama The Mountain Spirit premiered at Shi Guangnan Grand Theater on June 15. 

The premiere of "The Mountain Spirit."

In the drama, consummate actors from the Chongqing Drama Arts Center brought the audience back to the days of struggle for poverty alleviation and a better life.

The Mountain Spirit is an important drama written by Chongqing to develop further the theme of securing a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and fighting poverty. It uses Mao Xianglin, winner of the title of "National Model for Poverty Alleviation," secretary of the party branch of Xiazhuang Village, Zhuxian Township, Wushan County, and director of the committee of Xiazhuang Village, as its prototype. This drama, in which the passage of time and spatial variation serves as the clues, depicts some self-reliant and resilient Chongqing people who built roads to fight poverty.

A scene in "The Mountain Spirit for a Better Future."

"This modern drama is unsophisticated and touching. It is great that the Chongqing Drama Arts Center has successfully produced such a wonderful work of art," said Lin Yongjun, chairman of the China Drama Association, about the producer of The Mountain Spirit for a Better Future at an expert seminar held on June 17.

"I spend almost every day working in the theater. The Mountain Spirit for a Better Future stands out among the dramas under the theme of poverty alleviation. This drama is unique in that it stresses the self-reliance of the villagers. Moreover, it highlights the role of leadership in the fight against poverty. The whole drama is underpinned by these two strengths."

Sources indicate that The Mountain Spirit for a Better Future has been rated by the Publicity Department of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee and the Chongqing Municipal Culture and Tourism Commission as an excellent stage play that has emerged during the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the learning of the party's history. It will be performed in all districts and counties across Chongqing.