{"word_count": 487, "character_count": 3256}
The former residence ofMao Zedong’s 毛泽东 (1893-1976)firstwife YangKaihui 杨开慧 (1901-1930)is located in the small village Kaihui 开慧,which is 60 km away from Hunan’s capital Changsha 长沙. Yang Kaihui was born on a farmyard, which consisted of 28rooms. There, she spent her childhood and youth until 1920, before she joinedthe Social Youth League 社会广义青年团 tofight against the Guomindang (GMD) government. This was also the year when shemarried Mao (OfficialWebsite of Yang Kaihui´s birthplace). In 1930, Yang wascaptured and killed by the GMD governor of Hunan He Jian 何键 (1887-1956). According to the article “InMemory of Martyr Yang Kai-hui” in the Peking Review, Yang was glorified asa martyr of the communist movement after her murder, due to the fact that “shedied a heroine’s death” (Peking Review 1976: 19). Yang’s former home was renovatedin 1966. Since then, it has showed an exhibition of her vita and severalpersonal exhibits, like her footprints and some photographs. Moreover, there isa showroom that deals with Mao Zedong and his revolutionary past. &#160;In 1969, during theCultural Revolution 文化大革命 (1966-1976), a memorial park was added to theformer residence of Yang Kaihui, which included a statue and her mausoleum.Next to her grave, there is a panel with Mao Zedong’s poem “Butterfly LoveFlowers 蝶恋花”, whichrefers to the bravery of Yang Kaihui (Peking Review 1976: 19). Next to the memorial site in Kaihui, there is still another place inHunan that deals with Yang Kaihui, the Changsha Martyrs Park. It is a hugeexhibition site in Changsha City dedicated all famous martyrs and fighters ofHunan province during the communist and pre-communist era. At this site, thereis also an exhibition room which shows political career of Yang Kaihui (Denton2014: 105). Just like Mao’s former home in Shaoshan 韶山, Yang Kaihui’s birthplace represents a memorial site that was created during the Maoist era. The site in Shaoshan neglects any huge park areas or bronze statues and appeals much more authentic by showing “relics relate to the daily life of Mao” (Denton 2014: 236). However, the Yang Kaihui site with its martial mausoleum and its surrounding park has much more post-Maoist characteristics and favours more with the memorial halls of Liu Shaoqi 刘少奇 (1898-1969) or the site of marshal Peng Dehuai 彭德怀 (1898-1974), which were built in the post-Maoist era. Insofar, a cut during the Maoist memorial architecture can be observed. Bibliography: Denton,Kirk A. (2014): Exhibiting the Past – Historical memory and the Politics ofMuseum in Postsocialist China. Honolulu: University of Hawai’i Press. “In Memory of Martyr Yang Kai-hui - 46th anniversary of the martydom of Yang Kai-hui, close comrade-in-arms and wife of Chairman Mao”. In: Peking Review, Dec 24, 1976, Vol.19 (52). Pp. 19-20. Xiao Hong Lee und Stefanowska A.D. (2003):Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women – the twentieth century. London:An East Gate Book.&#160; Official Website ofYang Kaihui´s birthplace: www.dswxyjy.org.cn/n/2013/0812/c222137-22534269.htmlList of Pictures: Featured image: Comrades-in-arms (source: https://chineseposters.net/posters/d25-13.php, designer: Xu Baozhong (许宝中) and Li Zehao (李泽浩), Call nummer: BG D25/13 (Stefan R. Landsberger Private Collection)) 