“To give the international community a sense of the power of music in Taiwan and draw local people’s attention to the Universiade,” says Jack Wang, “we chose the harder path: giving the people the power to select the song.”
To choose from among over 200 candidates one song that would convey the vitality of Taiwan’s youth and a sense of freedom, sunshine, joy and love, 13 judges tirelessly debated the songs’ merits. Ultimately, they selected “Embrace the World,” written by Paiwan singer Utjung Tjakivalid (Kris Wu) and performed by the group I-Want Star Taiwan.
The refrain “i u giugi senasena i” is Paiwan for “all together now, sing and dance.” We can be confident that thanks to the Universiade, this phrase will become another greeting from Taiwan sung out to the world.
Howie B., an internationally known master of electronic music, was invited to arrange the official version. He transformed the traditional Paiwan melody by mixing in rumba and other Latin beats. As soon as the first drumbeat sounds, listeners can’t help but want to start dancing.
“As part of the preparations for the Universiade, the musicians wanted to put together something fun and joyous,” says Wang. An important promotor of independent Taiwan bands, he has called on the musical energy of every ethnic group on the island in assembling a diverse musical lineup, including the Chairman Band, Sizhukong, and Sibongie, as well as the Chio-Tian Folk Drums and Arts Troupe and ZenKwun. The music is sure to give everyone in attendance a good sense of Taiwan’s creative vitality.
Agua Chou, head of the City Yeast project. Chou is a veritable fount of ideas about the city. She is also an ace at skipping with a rope.
