(Bandar Seri Begawan, 26th) Following the successful twin school music exchange in Bandar Seri Begawan on April 23, the Longtan Philharmonic from Taiwan visited Brunei's second largest city, Kuala Belait, on April 25 for an unforgettable music exchange with the Brunei Hakka Association. The friendship concert held that evening at V Plaza Hotel attracted over a thousand participants, making it a lively and significant event of the year.
Established in 2010 with a mission to promote music culture, Longtan Philharmonic has been recognized as a "Taiwan Top Performing Arts Team" for three consecutive years from 2023 to 2025, earning acclaim for the high standard of its performances and accumulating extensive domestic and international exchange experience. This visit to Brunei was marked by enthusiasm and sincerity. The performance was co-organized by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Brunei and the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce Brunei, with significant sponsorship and assistance from the Brunei Hakka Association and V Plaza Hotel. The event allowed residents of Kuala Belait and nearby Seria to enjoy a musical feast.
The Brunei Hakka Association displayed tremendous enthusiasm and meticulous arrangements, making the orchestra members feel warmly welcomed. In response, Longtan Philharmonic reciprocated with their fullest musical energy, offering sincere cultural respect and the spirit of friendship performances.
The first half of the concert began with the "Makatao Rhapsody," infused with Taiwanese indigenous flavors, accompanied by melodious strings that led the audience into a world of diverse cultural fusion. The orchestra specially dedicated "Tian Gong Luo Shui," incorporating Hakka melodies and spirit, to honor the local Hakka community, evoking strong resonance.
The second half of the concert reached a climax with pieces ranging from the rhythmically rich Lanyang dance "Diu Diu Deng," to the Italian classic "O Sole Mio," and the Taiwanese pop classic "When the Drums Sound." Each performance was spectacular, without a moment of dullness, with continuous applause from the lively audience.
In the finale, Shi Yaping took to the stage to address the audience, "Welcome everyone to this heartfelt concert, and extend gratitude to the Government of Taoyuan City, the Hakka Affairs Council, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their support. Special thanks to the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce Brunei, the Hakka Association, and V Plaza for their assistance in making this cultural feast successful, allowing more friends from Kuala Belait and Seria to join the festivities."
Shi Yaping further expressed that Longtan Philharmonic's long-term dedication to promoting music and being selected as an outstanding performing arts team for three consecutive years is no small feat. Approaching her term's end, she expressed gratitude for the friendship and support accumulated between Taiwan and Brunei during her tenure, significantly raising Taiwan's visibility. She emotionally stated, "I've witnessed more and more friends from Brunei visiting Taiwan, enjoying its cuisine, and experiencing its culture and lifestyle. This connection and mutual understanding between Brunei and Taiwan is the most meaningful outcome of the past three years!"
Shi brought a surprise performance, inviting the audience to close their eyes and prepare for a gentle melody, humorously performing the violin prelude of "The Moon Represents My Heart," and then singing the Chinese classic with Longtan Philharmonic's accompaniment, touching the atmosphere immediately. Responding to the audience's requests, she further performed "Sweet Honey" in both Malay and Chinese versions, with the audience softly singing and clapping along, giving rounds of applause and full of emotion.
Amid enthusiastic calls for an encore, Longtan Philharmonic performed the Malay classic folk song "Rasa Sayang" and the well-known Taiwanese song "Love to Win," engaging actively with the audience, who hummed along in unity, pushing the event to its highest point. The concert concluded perfectly amidst applause and laughter.
This visit by Longtan Philharmonic was themed "Friendship," bringing profound connections that transcend language and culture. They used music notes to bridge the friendship between the two places, nourishing the cultural soil with melodies, deeply planting the sincerity from Taiwan in the warm land of Brunei.
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Brunei will continue to promote more cultural exchange activities, hoping to introduce more outstanding Taiwanese art groups to the international stage and allow more friends from Brunei to personally experience Taiwan's charm and warmth.
Established in 2010 with a mission to promote music culture, Longtan Philharmonic has been recognized as a "Taiwan Top Performing Arts Team" for three consecutive years from 2023 to 2025, earning acclaim for the high standard of its performances and accumulating extensive domestic and international exchange experience. This visit to Brunei was marked by enthusiasm and sincerity. The performance was co-organized by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Brunei and the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce Brunei, with significant sponsorship and assistance from the Brunei Hakka Association and V Plaza Hotel. The event allowed residents of Kuala Belait and nearby Seria to enjoy a musical feast.
The Brunei Hakka Association displayed tremendous enthusiasm and meticulous arrangements, making the orchestra members feel warmly welcomed. In response, Longtan Philharmonic reciprocated with their fullest musical energy, offering sincere cultural respect and the spirit of friendship performances.
The first half of the concert began with the "Makatao Rhapsody," infused with Taiwanese indigenous flavors, accompanied by melodious strings that led the audience into a world of diverse cultural fusion. The orchestra specially dedicated "Tian Gong Luo Shui," incorporating Hakka melodies and spirit, to honor the local Hakka community, evoking strong resonance.
The second half of the concert reached a climax with pieces ranging from the rhythmically rich Lanyang dance "Diu Diu Deng," to the Italian classic "O Sole Mio," and the Taiwanese pop classic "When the Drums Sound." Each performance was spectacular, without a moment of dullness, with continuous applause from the lively audience.
In the finale, Shi Yaping took to the stage to address the audience, "Welcome everyone to this heartfelt concert, and extend gratitude to the Government of Taoyuan City, the Hakka Affairs Council, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their support. Special thanks to the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce Brunei, the Hakka Association, and V Plaza for their assistance in making this cultural feast successful, allowing more friends from Kuala Belait and Seria to join the festivities."
Shi Yaping further expressed that Longtan Philharmonic's long-term dedication to promoting music and being selected as an outstanding performing arts team for three consecutive years is no small feat. Approaching her term's end, she expressed gratitude for the friendship and support accumulated between Taiwan and Brunei during her tenure, significantly raising Taiwan's visibility. She emotionally stated, "I've witnessed more and more friends from Brunei visiting Taiwan, enjoying its cuisine, and experiencing its culture and lifestyle. This connection and mutual understanding between Brunei and Taiwan is the most meaningful outcome of the past three years!"
Shi brought a surprise performance, inviting the audience to close their eyes and prepare for a gentle melody, humorously performing the violin prelude of "The Moon Represents My Heart," and then singing the Chinese classic with Longtan Philharmonic's accompaniment, touching the atmosphere immediately. Responding to the audience's requests, she further performed "Sweet Honey" in both Malay and Chinese versions, with the audience softly singing and clapping along, giving rounds of applause and full of emotion.
Amid enthusiastic calls for an encore, Longtan Philharmonic performed the Malay classic folk song "Rasa Sayang" and the well-known Taiwanese song "Love to Win," engaging actively with the audience, who hummed along in unity, pushing the event to its highest point. The concert concluded perfectly amidst applause and laughter.
This visit by Longtan Philharmonic was themed "Friendship," bringing profound connections that transcend language and culture. They used music notes to bridge the friendship between the two places, nourishing the cultural soil with melodies, deeply planting the sincerity from Taiwan in the warm land of Brunei.
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Brunei will continue to promote more cultural exchange activities, hoping to introduce more outstanding Taiwanese art groups to the international stage and allow more friends from Brunei to personally experience Taiwan's charm and warmth.