Through Thick and Thin’ created by UMSU Drama Society
As the novel coronavirus outbreak continues to spread, in Wuhan and across China, University of Macau (UM) students are taking the initiative to show their support for the anti-epidemic campaign by creating inspirational songs, dramas, and paintings to encourage people to stay strong during this difficult time.
The Drama Society under the UM Students’ Union earlier went on a national tour to perform a drama in celebration of the anniversaries of Macao and China. The crew has made a series of songs themed ‘Through Thick and Thin’. One crew member explains the motive for the creative project: ‘As the virus continues to spread, countless people across the country are helping one another. We can’t go to Wuhan to help on the frontline, but as UM students, we want to do something to help unite everyone in Macao and in mainland China. We want to send a little warmth to frontline workers, and we want to stand by our fellow citizens in this fight against the outbreak.’
Allen Liu, a fourth-year student in the Faculty of Business Administration and a member of the Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College, wrote a song titled ‘Against All Odds’. He says, ‘I was so moved by those frontline medical workers who risk their lives helping others. Everyone is trying to help in their own ways. So I wrote this song to pay tribute to those frontline workers who continue to fight against all odds. I hope my fellow countrymen and women never give up and do what they can to help one another.’
Andrew Kuang, a first-year student in the Department of Chinese Language and Literature and a member of the Choi Kai Yau College, wrote two piano pieces, titled ‘Bringing Safety Back’ and ‘The Light of the Stars’ respectively, to convey her best wishes for Wuhan and all areas affected by the outbreak and to encourage everyone not to give up. She says, ‘I have seen donations pouring in from across the country, and that makes me realise that containing the spread of the outbreak is not a one man’s battle; it is everyone’s battle. So I hope to encourage everyone to work together to put an end to the outbreak soon.’
Although being safe and sound at home, Kasper Chen, a second-year student in the Department of Government and Public Administration and a member of the Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College, hopes to show support for frontline workers. Chen made a drawing titled ‘Stay Strong Wuhan’ based on a scene that stuck in her mind, with the main character modelled upon nurses racing against the clock in Wuhan hospitals. ‘Medical workers are the light and love in darkness. I hope they can return safely to their families one day,’ she says.
The outbreak of the coronavirus has stirred up a lot of emotions in Daniel Kwan, a fourth-year student in the Department of Chinese Language and Literature. A lover of Chinese opera, he decided to pour his feelings into modifying a rewritten opera script based on a selection of the Beijing opera Xi Shi. Titled ‘Xi Shi against Epidemic’, the opera depicts people’s current mundane lives as they stay at home to protect themselves against the virus, their worries when the daily news come, and their hope to resume normal life soon. He says, ‘I hope that patients cooperate with the treatment programme, stay optimistic, and wait for the best outcome.’
Stanley Cheng, a third-year student of primary education in the Faculty of Education, is a student assistant at Shui Pong College. He recently made a short video titled ‘Anti-virus Protection Tips’ to demonstrate how one can protect himself from coronavirus infection. The video aims to show support for students and to share practical health tips. He says, ‘I hope UM students keep learning during class suspension. I hope they remember to wear masks when going outside and wash hands frequently, in order to protect themselves.'
To access the students’ creative works, please follow UM’s official account on WeChat (ID: UMacau1981) or click the links below:
UM students show support for anti-epidemic campaign with creative works: Through Thick and Thin
https://youtu.be/pj19q1YDYQ0
UM students show support for anti-epidemic campaign with creative works: Xi Shi against Epidemic
https://youtu.be/4m3kziauCRE
UM students show support for anti-epidemic campaign with creative works: The Light of the Stars
https://youtu.be/Mwhc1oxaCZw
UM students show support for anti-epidemic campaign with creative works: Bringing Safety Back
https://youtu.be/wPe8qKBRLrE
UM students show support for anti-epidemic campaign with creative works: Against All Odds
https://youtu.be/CW7ErIYR6o0
UM students show support for anti-epidemic campaign with creative works: Anti-virus Protection Tips
https://youtu.be/NF77TaZWAIc
