Taiwanese elementary school folk troupe performs in Okinawa

The vibrant folk music tradition of Taiwan's Hengchun Peninsula is set to resonate in Okinawa, Japan, as the Manzhou Elementary School folk music troupe embarks on a cultural exchange. This marks the second consecutive year the young performers have been invited to the Okinawa International Children and Youth Art Festival.

Led by dedicated instructors, seven students will showcase their talents, performing both traditional Hengchun folk songs like "Manzhou Xiaodiao" and Okinawan melodies such as "Shiminni Takara." Their performances aim to bridge cultures through music, fostering friendship and highlighting the rich folk heritage of Pingtung County.

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Pingtung and Okinawa both possess rich folk music cultures. I look forward to Manzhou's children taking their hometown songs to the world, deepening Taiwanese-Japanese friendship through music, and letting more people see Pingtung's profound folk music culture.

Pingtung County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi expressed her support, emphasizing the shared folk culture between Pingtung and Okinawa. She encouraged the students to carry their hometown melodies to the world, strengthening Taiwanese-Japanese ties and drawing global attention to Taiwan's deep-rooted folk music traditions. The preservation of these songs, thanks to the long-term commitment of educators like Zhang Biying, ensures that the voices of ancestors continue to live on through the younger generation.

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I am very happy to bring Hengchun folk music to Japan and let more people hear the singing from Manzhou, Pingtung. Folk music has long been integrated into life; whether happy, sad, or missing someone, emotions can be expressed through song. I hope to share this culture with more people.

For the students, the trip is a chance to share their cultural identity. "I am very happy to bring Hengchun folk music to Japan and let more people hear the singing from Manzhou, Pingtung," said student Ji Pin-an. He described folk music as an integral part of life, a way to express emotions whether happy, sad, or longing, and expressed a desire to share this cultural expression widely.

Manzhou Elementary School Principal Song Pei-ling conveyed her gratitude to everyone supporting the preservation of this intangible cultural asset. She hopes the children, carrying the warmth of Manzhou and the melodious sound of the Yueqin, will sow seeds of friendship in Okinawa, allowing the world to hear the songs from Taiwan's southernmost tip.

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Thank you to everyone who has helped, allowing precious intangible cultural heritage to continue to be passed down. I hope the children, carrying Manzhou's passion and the melodious sound of the Yueqin, will sow seeds of friendship in Okinawa, letting the world hear the songs from Taiwan's southernmost tip.