Belize and Taiwan Partner for September Songs
A collection of five songs, each piece centering around the enduring friendship between Belize and Taiwan, was introduced this morning at the Bliss Center for Performing Arts. On hand for the live performances were Nello Player, TR Shine, Cocono Bwai, and Concego. Through the National Institute of Culture and History, NICH, and the Taiwanese Embassy, these five artists, including Boss Lady, were able to write and record original music that speaks to the diplomatic relations. Isani Cayetano reports.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
September Celebrations, amid the pandemic, may not be what it was a few years ago. Complete with a calendar of events ensuring that there is something for every patriotic Belizean, the hype around the ninth month would be felt several weeks before. Now, it is only a reminiscence committed to lyrics by Belizean musician Nello Player.
Nello Player
Nello Player, Belizean Musician
“Savor the Moment, meaning we have to be grateful especially in these times, you know we’re going through a pandemic so every moment counts. Right now we’re seeing people dying right in front of us from this disease. In terms of the genre, I just wanted a good balance of something that the younger folks could listen to, as well as the old crowd, the older listeners could appreciate. That’s why I tried to approach the song in that manner.”
The Belize/Taiwan Songs Commission is a partnership between both countries that allows popular artists like TR Shine, Concego, Cocono Bwai and Boss Lady to produce new music during this festive time of year.
David Kuan-Chou Chien
David Kuan-Chou Chien, Taiwanese Ambassador
“The Embassy of Taiwan has been working closely with the Government of Belize on a number of important projects that promote bilateral relations and mutual benefits between Belize and Taiwan. The Belize/Taiwan Songs Commission project is yet another solid example and testimony for the productive and enduring partnership between our two countries.”
TR Shine wasted no time doing what he does best, putting pen to paper, writing down his soca lyrics and hitting the studio.
TR Shine
TR Shine, Belizean Musician
“When I heard it was gonna be a Taiwan song that we were gonna be singing for international [audiences] I was like okay, cool. So I then went into the studio, gathered my information and started to record.”
Out of those sessions came a song that embodies the diplomatic relations between the allied nations. It is also a musical piece that captures the spirit of Belizean and Taiwanese cultures.
Sapna Budhrani
Sapna Budhrani, President, NICH
“Belize at Forty: Hopeful Hearts, Steady Hands, Together We Rise. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all who have been working on this project, Ambassador Candice Pitts in Taiwan, our board of directors, Director Vaughn, Director Habet and Ms. Kim Vasquez. They’ve been working for this project over the past three or four months and we have all the artists featured.”
For Concego, the platform allows him as an artist to promote Garifuna culture.
Concego
Concego, Belizean Musician
“Culture da always part of me, everything I do, ih haffi got my culture eena it. Ih noh matter if I do wahn Spanish song, I do whatever, fi sure Garifuna haftu eena it. Dat da weh I do all the time, you know, and dis da how we spread di word to di world.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.
