Mao's Last Dancer - Li Cunxin [90]
Li Cunxin’s story, which takes place between 1961 and 1981, during and immediately after the time of Chairman Mao, presents a vivid impression of those difficult years.
Barbara Ker Wilson
Picture Section
My classmates and myself, center front, wearing Mao’s Red Guard scarves. This was taken in early 1972, in Laoshan.
The New Village, Li Commune—the world of my upbringing. This photo was taken in 2002—nothing much had changed since I was born.
Proudly wearing Mao’s army uniform, in January 1974—aspiring to become a true and faithful follower of the communist ideal.
My beloved niang washing, forever washing, in the courtyard of our home. This was taken when I went back to China in 1988.
My first lonely day in Beijing, posing for one of our group photos in Tiananmen Square—I am in the front row, fourth from the right.
The Beijing Dance Academy—my world for seven long years. Here it is in 1997—again, nothing much had changed: the studio building is on the right, hot-water boiler room and teachers’ rooms in the center, and the canteen to the left.
Hai Luo Sha, one of our political ballets, with me and “Chairman Mao.”
Rehearsing Hai Luo Sha with Teacher Zhang Shu in 1976. In the background are Mao’s grand words: “Have your country in your heart and the world in your vision.”
First contact with the West—Zhang Weiqiang and I in New York in 1979.
On the steps of the Vaganova Ballet School in Leningrad—my first trip to another communist country.
Defection. April 29, 1981. Being freed from the consulate with Elizabeth Mackey and Charles Foster.
Finally at ease as the Western prince— Sleeping Beauty in 1984.
With Barbara Bush at the White House in 1991. She was instrumental in bringing my parents to the United States and in fostering my relationship with China.
Applying my makeup for a performance with the Houston Ballet—a new identity, a transformation: what would my niang and dia think of this? I lived in another world now.
In Glen Tetley’s Rite of Spring —making the giant leaps I’d always dreamed of.
The Esmeralda pas de deux with Mary, in 1990, in a gala performance at the Sydney Opera House.
My beloved family in Melbourne in 1997—my wife, Mary, and our children Sophie, Thomas, and Bridie.
Li Cunxin and China
A Historic Time Line
1893
Mao Zedong born
1911
Fall of the last dynasty, the Manchu Chinese Republic founded by Sun Yat-sen
1921
Chinese Communist Party founded
1927
General Chiang Kaishek becomes leader of Guomindang government
1931
Japan invades northern China
1934
The Long March
1935
Mao becomes leader of Communist Party
1939–1945
World War II
1946–1949
Civil war in China
1946
Li Cunxin’s parents’ marriage
1949
Victorious Chairman Mao proclaims People’s Republic of China in Beijing
1958
The Great Leap Forward
1961
Li Cunxin born
1966–1976
The Cultural Revolution
1967
The Quotes of Chairman Mao, also known as the Little Red Book, published
1972
President Nixon visits China Li goes to Beijing for the first time
1976
Zhou Enlai, premier of China, dies. Mao dies. Madame Mao and the Gang of Four arrested. Deng Xiaoping becomes the leader of the Communist Party of China
1972–1979
Li Cunxin studies at the Beijing Dance Academy
1974
Li Cunxin becomes member of the Communist Youth Party
1979
Li Cunxin graduates from Beijing Dance Academy and goes to the United States for the first time. Returns to America in November 1979
1981
Li marries Elizabeth Mackey. Defection to the West
1987
Li marries Mary McKendry
1988
Mary and Li visit China together for the first time
1989
Tiananmen Square Massacre Sophie, Li’s first daughter, born
1995
Li Cunxin moves to Melbourne, Australia
1999
Li retires from ballet
Writing and Pronouncing Chinese Words