The Supreme Master Ching HaiBy Formosa News Team (Originally in Chinese)
Knowing that artists play an important role in life and yet often overlooked, Supreme Master Ching Hai, a spiritual mentor who advocates for creative expression, declared April 3 as “International Artist Day” in January 2018. Supreme Master Ching Hai expressed: “This International Artist Day, I hope the whole world will recognize, will celebrate, celebrate big, like other holidays. In order to honor the artists………”
Supreme Master Ching Hai also delivered a message to all artists and lovers of art on Supreme Master Television on the day of celebrating the first “International Artist Day:”
“Greeting to you, the artists and the fans. Today is the first time the world celebrates the International Artist Day. And I would like to thank you for dedicating your whole life to arts, to humankind, to make the world’s people happy when they share their joy as well as when they feel lonely, sad, need support and comfort, through your poetry, your songs, your music, your paintings, your decorations, your humorous stories, your drama and plays, and interesting movies, etc…On behalf of the entire world, we thank you infinitely! May your artistic path always go forward, always receive the admiration and appreciation of the art lovers. And may you be blessed and protected by Heaven, may you always be happy and inspired. May you have everything you need in life and all the spiritual blessings, so that you may advance further on more noble paths than those of the world, more splendid, more joyful, more blissful and safer.
VIPs gathered at “International Artist Day” celebration
Sponsored by The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, the first “International Artist Day” magnificent ceremony and dinner party was held at The Grand Hotel in Taipei, Formosa on April 3, 2018, to pay tribute to and express gratitude to the talented artists. They gathered from all over the world as well as local Formosan national treasure-level performers; including Taiwanese Opera national star Ms. Liao Qiong-Zhi, the master composer Chen Yang, Beijing opera maestro Cao Fu-Yong and Xia Hua-Da, mime artist Sun Li-Cui, the calligrapher Zhang Bing-Huang, the Golden Bell Award winning director Pang Yi-An, the contemporary oil painter Su Yi-Rong who is also known as the “Taiwan Picasso,” a master of modern ink painting Jiang Ming-Xian, a master of arts appreciation Yu Bai-Ling, the “Forever Curator” ink painter Huang Guang-Nan, a master of sculpture Wang Xiu-Qi, master Xie Xiao-De who is the advocate and founder of new realism in Formosa, wood carving expert Huang Ma-Qing, and nearly 200 artists in calligraphy, ink painting, oil painting, anime, photography, performing art, literature, sculpture, ceramics, etc. At the site of the concert, in addition to the acts, singings and mimes, there were also performances by experts from the performing art community, painting on the spot by painter Zhu Rong-Pei, and interviews with the artists were also arranged. The program was wonderful and diversified.
The Kunlun Hall, beside the main concert venue, was also elaborately planned as a special area to showcase all the wonderful works of the participating artists. The rich and colorful content of large display boards were just like the essence of an art and culture exhibition, offering elegant eye-candy to feast on the spectacular display. The artists gathered together here to showcase their expertise, to communicate with one another, and to make friends through art. The International Association attentively prepared delicious vegan desserts and drinks for all to enjoy.
During the event, former Vice President Annette Lu, DPP legislative caucus whip Ker Chien-Ming, former Vice Chairperson of the Mainland Affairs Council of the Executive Yuan Chang Hsien-Yao, former Political Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Justice Kuo Lin-Yong and his wife Zheng Xing-Zi who both also attended this grand event as artists, Deputy Minister of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Taipei City Government, Lee Li-Zhu, Party Secretary of Taipei City Council Lee Bo-Yi, Xihu Township Mayor Yang Xiu-Xia, Chairman of the Grand Hotel Chang Hsueh-Shun, Chairman of Rich Horizon International Touch Media Corporation Wang Bo-Xin, and the former Director General of the National Central Library, Gu Ming, also visited the venue to pay tribute to the artists.
In her speech, Former Vice President Annette Lu humorously expressed her hope of becoming an artist, instead of a politician, in her next life. She highly praised Supreme Master Ching Hai as a Spiritual Leader, and also artist and environmentalist. She was very touched by the fact that this festival of artists came under the direction of Supreme Master Ching Hai. Ker Chien-Ming, DPP legislative caucus whip, said that having the opportunity to have dinner with over 200 artists was a rare experience in life so felt quite honored. He has noticed Supreme Master Ching Hai for over 20 years. He said that she advocated the vegan diet and environmental protection to save the planet from the viewpoint of the whole of humanity, and created “International Artist Day” to celebrate art without borders, to greatly elevate human artistic life. Former Member of Legislative Yuan Chang Hsien-Yao stated that art is life without borders, and that the creative work of artists are eternal and priceless. He congratulated this artist festival in different languages and highly praised Supreme Master Ching Hai’s “International Artist Day” initiative.
A music festival for the artists
The unique and special flash-action play of “Monkey King Sun Wukong Stormed the East China Sea” drew a packed crowd. A large number of tourists gathered in the lobby of The Grand Hotel to watch. It commenced the lively activities of the day. Artists from different places entered the Hall one after another. The experts of the art made a huge and unprecedented lineup. The program started out by sharing Supreme Master Ching Hai’s video clip with the “Proverbs of Love,” letting the audience understand Supreme Master’s reason for the launch of the “International Artist Day” and Her respect and love for the artists from all over the world. Nantou Xinxiang Elementary School’s students from Bunun Tribe chorus sang “Ballad of Bunun Tribe,” “The Ocean, My Hometown!” and “Children’s Playfulness” with the children’s pure and clear voices starting the concert. The angelic music penetrated through the hearts of the people. Then, they watched the film “Grateful to Have You, We Love You!” which was elaborately produced by the International Association to pay tribute to the artists. The personal masterpieces and profiles of all the participating artists were collected into the film.
In the “Eternal Golden Melody” unit, the campus folk song singer Luo Ji-Zhen, whose song “Myth” was extremely popular in Formosa during 1970s, sang “Kapok Road” which recalled the memories of the people who were singing folk songs together in those days. Zeng Shu-Qin, the well-known original singer of “Lupinus,” not only sang the famous “Lupinus” and “Song of the Exile” but also sang Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poetry “Talking to a Stone Buddha,” while playing her guitar. Different styles and Zen feelings gained the resonance of the audience. The familiar old songs of nostalgia, “The Bright Moon Shines on Fragrant Flowers” and “My Way,” were sung by singer Wu Xiu-Zhu while she walked into the audience. Her affectionate and sentimental, enchanting female voice was captivating. The Golden Melody Award winning female singer Olivia Tsao performed the famous “The Song of Missing.” Her powerful voice and natural tone had a great soothing presence.
(To be continued…..)
