A scene from the original ballet production Lily created by the Shanghai Ballet. [Photo/WeChat account: hafbwx]

The original ballet production Lily, created by the Shanghai Ballet, is set to premiere at the Shanghai Grand Theatre from July 18 to 20, and at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing from Aug 1 to 3.

Adapted from the renowned 1958 short story of the same name by writer Ru Zhijuan, the ballet tells a poignant wartime tale set during the 1946 Battle of Central Jiangsu. Notably, the command center featured in the story was located in Hai'an, a city deeply intertwined with this historical moment.

To ensure authenticity, the production team conducted several field visits to Hai'an, the original setting of the story. Wang Anyi, the daughter of Ru and an acclaimed writer herself, shared her emotional connection to the location. "I was deeply moved to see my mother's photo and the illustrated version of Lily displayed at the Hai'an Seven Victories in Seven Battles Memorial Hall," she said.

Blending literary legacy with local history, Lily brings Hai'an's revolutionary past to life on stage, offering audiences a powerful tribute to courage, sacrifice, and remembrance.