On September 24th, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of China National Petroleum Corporation and celebrate the 74th founding anniversary of our university, the large-scale musical “Finding Petroleum for Our Motherland” - jointly produced byXSYUand Yulin Tourism Investment Development Co., Ltd. - successfully premiered at Xi’an Radio and Television Grand Theater.
The premiere was attended by distinguished guests including:
• Zheng Zhong, Vice President of Shaanxi Yan’an Spirit Research Association
• Zhao Song, Deputy General Manager of CNPC Changqing Oilfield Company
• Tang Haizhong, Chief Geologist of CNPC Yumen Oilfield Company
• Hao Wei, Vice President of Shaanxi Opera Research Institute
• Li Ning, General Manager of Yulin Tourism Investment Group Co., Ltd.
• Wang Peng, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of CNPC Engineering Materials Research Institute
• He Zhibing, Deputy General Manager of China Oilfield Services Limited
• Jiao Qunchao, Deputy General Manager of CNPC Shaanxi Marketing Company
• Ding Jianhao, Deputy General Manager of Sinopec Shaanxi Petroleum Branch
XSYUleaders Wang Jinfu, Cheng Yongqing, Zhang Juntao, Zhao Jian, and Chong Yuhong were also present at the performance.
The event brought together over a thousand participants, including representatives from:
• Cultural institutions: National Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration, Central Academy of Fine Arts, Shaanxi People’s Art Theater, Shaanxi Art Creation Center, Xi’an Conservatory of Music, Yunnan Provincial Theater Company, Jiangsu Performing Arts Group Opera and Dance Theater, Guizhou Song and Dance Theater, Shaanxi Art Vocational College
• Enterprise partners: Xi’an Yuxing Petroleum Machinery Company, Xi’an Shiyou Oil & Gas Company, CNPC Kunlun Digital Intelligence Co., Ltd., SinopecXinxing(Shaanxi) Xinyuan Technology Co., Ltd., Anton Oilfield Services Group, ShaanxiFor-energyInspection & Consulting Co., Ltd., Xi’an Yunwei Zhilian Technology Co., Ltd., Xi'an ZhengyuanWell ImageElectronic Technology Co., Ltd.
The audience comprised leadership from partner organizations, alumni enterprises, art experts, along with all departmental-level cadres and student representatives from the university.
Before the premiere,the presidentWang Jinfu cordially met with the distinguished guests, expressing gratitude for their long-standing support to the university's educational endeavors and cultural development initiatives, while briefly introducing the creative background and preparatory journey of this musical.
In his address, Wang Jinfu stated that September 25th marks the 75th anniversary of China National Petroleum Corporation. The premiere of Xi'an Shiyou University's original musical “FindingPetroleumforOurMotherland”represents not merely an artistic spectacle, but carries the profound mission of reflecting on the struggle history of the petroleum industry and inheriting the petroleum spirit, while also presenting a sincere tribute to the anniversary of New China.
He recalled that seventy-two years ago, 200 young students from Wenzhou responded to the national call. After rigorous study and practical training at our university, they became the backbone of New China’s petroleum surveying. Among them, New China's first women's surveying team—composed of over 20 graduates from our university—ventured into the Qilian Mountains and deep deserts with extraordinary determination. Braving sandstorms and extreme cold, they made remarkable contributions to China's petroleum exploration through precise surveying, fulfilling the oath“FindingPetroleumforOurMotherland”with concrete actions.Wang emphasized that this musical not only recreates those pioneering years of hardship, but also interprets that generation's steadfast belief in“dedicating youth to the motherland”. The team members radiated the spirit of patriotism, entrepreneurship, pragmatism, and dedication—sharing the same roots as the Iron Man Spirit and collectively forming Xi'an Shiyou University's fundamental commitment to“serving the countrywith our contribution in thepetroleumindustry”.
He confirmed that the university will actively advance“enriching minds through culture and educating through aesthetics”, using artistic forms like musicals and music-themed Party lectures to internalize the revolutionary heritage and Iron Man Spirit. Wang expressed hope that the community would follow the example of pioneers like the women's surveying team, inheriting their hardworking ethos and pioneering courage, to guide teachers and students in strengthening ideals and convictions, striving to become practitioners, innovators, and contributors in the new era's energy sector, and collectively advancing our generation's path in petroleum, innovation, and progress.
To transform the unwavering commitment to national energy strategy and the predecessors' dedication into compelling stage resonance, the creative team embarked on a rigorous, craftsmanship-driven creation process from the very beginning—deeply engaging with campus culture and reclaiming historical memories.
Recreating the Elegance of Female Pioneers, Cultivating a Fertile Soil for Spirituality.The creative team delved into the university’s cultural archives to bring the inspiring story of the“first women's surveying team”from the institution’s history to the stage for the first time, achieving an artistic reconstruction of this invaluable historical episode.After nearly two years of meticulous development, the team systematically organized precious archival materials from the university's development trajectory and interviewed distinguished alumni, including members of the women's surveying team, extracting creative inspiration from authentic historical details.
Centered on the journey of the female protagonist—from an idealistic educated youth to a fearless pioneer in oilfield exploration—the production profoundly embodies the oil workers' solemn vow:“We would rather sacrifice twenty years of our lives than fail to secure the great oilfield”. By deeply integrating the university's historical legacy, the essence of its motto, and the Petroleum Spirit, the characters of these pioneers are portrayed with vivid authenticity and approachable nobility.This creation establishes a spiritual homeland for contemporary teachers and students—a bridge connecting history and the future, inspiring responsibility and action—allowing the revolutionary heritage and thespirit ofpetroleumindustryto be revitalized in the new era.
Integrating Multiple Narratives to Perpetuate a Lasting Legacy
The production is structured into three logically interconnected chapters—“To the Northwest”,“To the Most Challenging Frontiers”, and“Where the Motherland Needs Us Most”—using fluid transitions across time and space to connect historical moments with contemporary relevance, showcasing the enduring journey of the petroleum industry and its echoes through the ages.
By synthesizing diverse stage languages including music, dance, and drama, along with meticulously crafted scenography, the performance constructs an immersive audio-visual environment that significantly enhances its artistic resonance and visual impact. Through the innovative integration of modern artistic techniques and multi-narrative construction, the work achieves a profound harmony between spiritual inheritance and artistic expression.
Building a Cultural Landmark, Advancing Sustained Education
As a key component of our university’s initiative to build a great XSYU with good cultural atmosphere, this musical will be synergistically promoted alongside established educational brands such as the“Long March Suite”music-themed Party lectures. Together, they will form a distinctive“Golden Course”system for ideological and political education atXSYU.
Moving forward,XSYU will continue to refine the production and deepen its substance, meticulously exploring itsideological and political elements as well as its pedagogical value. We are committed to developing high-quality supporting courses and teaching cases, striving to create a replicable and scalable model for cultural education. This effort will provide robust support for fully realizing the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education and vigorously achieving the goal of building a“Cultural XSYU”.
