Military bands show a common love for music and share cultural elements of different countries at an international gathering in Nanchang, Jiangxi province. [Photo by Wang Jian/China Daily]

The first two music events of the Nanchang International Military Tattoo were held in 2006 and 2007, says Hu Guodong, the deputy director of the committee of the Fifth Nanchang International Military Tattoo.

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army. On Aug 1, 1927, the Communist Party of China initiated the first armed fight against the Kuomintang in Nanchang. The event was called the Nanchang Uprising and also marked the foundation of the People's Liberation Army.

"Jiangxi is known as the cradle of the Chinese revolution in modern history and this year's Nanchang International Military Tattoo is also part of the activities to commemorate that," says Hu.

Chinese playwright Han Jingting was invited to write a poem for the opening ceremony.

Titled the Echo of Time, the poem was recited by veteran Chinese actor Pu Cunxin at the opening ceremony gala.

The stories of Chinese soldiers from Jiangxi were collected for the poem and, like the performance of the military bands, it marks the spirit of sacrifice by the heroes, says Han.