As the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown approached, Rowena He, a scholar of that chapter of Chinese history, was busy giving talks in the U.S., Britain, and Canada, speaking out for those who cannot in mainland China. The crackdown remains a taboo subject, and the massive annual vigil in Hong Kong has vanished, a casualty of the city’s clampdown on dissent. He, who lost her academic position in Hong Kong, views speaking out as her duty, despite the challenges.
Overseas commemorative events have become crucial for preserving memories of the Tiananmen crackdown, as Beijing’s political stance has extinguished large-scale commemorations within its borders. Activities like talks, rallies, exhibitions, and plays on the subject have emerged in countries like the U.S., Britain, Canada, Australia, and Taiwan. Efforts to erase reminders of the crackdown in Hong Kong have included legal actions against activists and removal of Tiananmen-related statues from universities.
Hong Kong police recently arrested seven people on suspicion of sedition over social media content related to the Tiananmen anniversary, and a Christian newspaper left its front page blank in response to the current situation. Despite attempts to silence commemorations, memories of the crackdown remain vivid among liberal-minded Chinese who remember the events of 1989. A museum dedicated to the crackdown in New York and other efforts aim to preserve the memory of the event and reach a broader audience.
Overseas memorial events are seen as crucial because they can be accessed online by mainland Chinese and Hong Kongers, who are familiar with using VPNs to circumvent internet censorship. European history and memory studies experts note that commemorations allow memories to travel and endure, but may risk fragmenting or de-contextualizing them. Film, television dramas, and theater productions about the crackdown are seen as powerful tools for carrying memories forward and reaching a broader audience, inspiring people facing challenges in the pursuit of democracy.
In London, a play titled “May 35th” about the events of June 4, 1989, moved audiences to tears, highlighting the ongoing emotional impact of the Tiananmen crackdown. The play tells the story of an elderly couple mourning their son who died in the crackdown, evoking powerful emotions in those who watch it. Scholar Rowena He, who served as a post-show speaker, expressed hope that younger generations could gain a deeper understanding of the events through such productions. The power of dramatic narratives to engage viewers intimately and emotionally is seen as a way to keep memories alive and inspire continued efforts for justice and democracy.
