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Kaohsiung County is moving ahead with its mission to develop the arts, as shown in the current construction of Dadong Arts and Culture Park, Camp Weiwu, a national concert hall and opera house.
"2006 International Music Festival in Kaohsiung County--Listen to Paris" consisted of a music festival and music camp. Last year's festival received resounding praise, and this year the festival once again lived up to its reputation. Concerts were held in places such as Fongshan, Cishan, and Gangshan. Free admission allowed classical music lovers to enjoy performances of international caliber, while promoting an interest in the arts.
Organizers invited the internationally acclaimed Taiwanese musician and professor, Ms. Fang-Yi Li, to serve as music director. Over the course of a year, she paid strict attention to every aspect of the series, from performances to lectures. By including seven of France's eminent musicians, she developed an event where French culture and music arts could be shared with local citizens.
The performances by the guest musicians were exhilarating, each piece displaying the musicians' refined artistic skills and a variety of French musical styles.
Guest musicians were Francois Daudet(piano), professor, d'Evreux Music Academy (France); Guillaume Plays(violin), professor, Tourcoing Music Academy (France); Patrick Desremerux(flute), professor, District 10 Music Academy(France); David Louwerse(cello), professor of the Rouen Music Academy(France); Joel Soultanian(viola), professor, Orchestra and Choir of the Paris Universities(OCUP); and Clair Leroy(vocal music), professor of the Greater Paris Vocal Arts Center.
Governor Yang stated that music can have a powerful effect on us. Having the opportunity to learn from such internationally acclaimed musicians in Taiwan should raise the standard of arts and culture locally. To that end, not only will the international music festivals continue, but will have greater magnitude year after year.
He added that the 2 billion NT construction for two important culture and arts facilities, the Dadong Arts and Culture Park and the adjacent Camp Weiwu, with a future national concert hall and national opera house is already underway.
Director Li shared that during her childhood there were no international music camps in southern Taiwan, forcing those who wanted to study music in-depth to travel far distances, even abroad. To pursue her dreams, she went to France to study music at 15 years old.
She praised Governor Yang for his tireless efforts to develop the arts in Kaohsiung County, which have not been in vain. Two participants in last year's festival were recently accepted by music schools in France. We look forward to their contributions and watching their careers unfold.
Although the fruits of education are often not readily apparent, we believe that ten years from now the results will be evident to all. For now, France's music circles recognize the importance of Kaohsiung's music camp.
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