Good Luck, Xiamen - People - Common Talk Weekly

Good Luck, Xiamen
December 3, 2003

Recently, Xiamen was nominated as one of the seven candidate cities of the fourth Choir Olympics organized by the Interkultur Foundation. Mr. Gunter Titsch, President of the Foundation and his working group paid a one-week visit to Xiamen for an investigation from Nov. 25 to Nov. 30. On Nov. 28, a reporter from Common Talk had an interview with the President.

最近，国际文化交流基金会正式提名厦门为2006年奥林匹克合唱大赛的申办候选城市。11月 25日至11月30日，基金会主席昆特·铁弛一行来厦进行了为期一周的实地考察。此次考察，厦门市民的音乐素质和被誉为“琴岛”的鼓浪屿给昆特先生留下了深刻而美好的印象。以下是Common Talk记者与基金会主席的对话。

Gunther Tisch Q: Mr. President, as far as we know, there are seven candidate cities officially nominated to host the fourth Choir Olympics, including Xiamen. How many of these cities have you been to to do an on-the-spot investigation? During these days in Xiamen, what have you discovered about its music culture?

A: As a matter of fact, the working group of our foundation has been to all the seven nominated cities. Generally speaking, we are most satisfied with the facilities and the cultural atmosphere in Xiamen. China is currently the fastest developing country. Xiamen, being the only nominated Chinese city, has its deep music background. We are looking forward to co-operating with the city.

Q: China's capital Beijing has won the right to hold the 2008 Olympic Games, and Xiamen is bidding for the fourth Choir Olympics. To be the host city of the Choir Olympics, what requirements and standards should the city meet?

A: There are two important aspects. The first standard is the so-called "hardware", to which we will attach great importance. At the second Choir Olympics, more than 18,000 people attended and watched the competition, which was fewer than the first Olympics. We have paid a visit to the Xiamen International Conference && Exhibition Center and the music hall. We found the capacity was more than enough for the Choir Olympics. Furthermore, it should include some more supporting facilities such as accommodation, transportation and tourist attractions for the attendants and audience. As far as this aspect is concerned, Xiamen is well provided and equipped.

The second aspect is what we call the "software". I have been to China eight times. This is the first time that I've been to Xiamen. Nevertheless, I'm very impressed with the musical atmosphere here. In my previous meeting with Mr. Zhang, the Mayor of the city, he expressed Xiamen locals' hope to turn the city into the "Vienna" of Asia. Xiamen is a famous cultural city. Music, being an important aspect of culture, has a deep root in Xiamen. I have learnt that Xiamen is extolled as a "Music Island" and the home of pianos. It is famous for its tourism and its music and business opportunities. It's very hard to find another city in China, which can meet all these requirements. It's very rare and even unique.

Q: Up to the moment, how is your talk with the municipal government going?

A: We have agreed on the tentative plan with the municipal government of Xiamen to make the Choir Olympics different from the previous ones, if it is to be held here. There will be a series of artistic forms. The chorus will remain as the most important part. In addition, we will introduce some orchestras and folk dances as well, so that we can attract more attendants and audience and entertain more people.

Q: It is said that Qingdao had also expressed its wish to host the Choir Olympics. Why did the Foundation officially nominate Xiamen as the host city instead of Qingdao?

A: It's true that Qingdao has expressed its wish to host the Choir Olympics. But due to some reason, we were not able to fix a time to arrange things. In contrast, Xiamen took an active part in the application from the very beginning. A working group was sent by the municipal government to Europe to make a promotional presentation about Xiamen. At the end of last October, another working group headed by the Cultural Bureau made a tour to Italy, where they delivered wonderful reports for application. Everything went smoothly.

Q: So far, two Choir Olympics have been held successfully since 2000. In the previous competitions, how was the performance of the Chinese chorus?

A: In the first Choir Olympics held in Linz Austria, three choirs from the mainland China competed in it, two of which won the gold prize. However, in the second Olympics in South Korea, the number of Chinese choirs reached 17. Six of them were awarded the gold prizes, including one team from Taiwan. Among all the competitors, China won the most gold medals. Even the famous home to music and artists, Hungary, only obtained four gold medals. I think that would greatly enhance our confidence in Xiamen.

Q: When will the official announcement of the final host city be made to the public?

A: If everything goes smoothly, the result will come out at the end of this December.

On the evening of Nov. 28, a candle-lit music concert was held at the Piano Museum. Teachers and students from Xiamen Music School performed chorus and played musical instruments. President of the Interkultur Foundation and his working group attended the concert.

What is Interkultur Foundation?
The Interkultur Foundation is a non-profit making organization based in Pohlheim Germany. It has given itself the mission to comprehensively support international cultural exchange, especially that of lay choirs and music bands. It was originally set up by Mr. Gunter Titsch in 1988 to help remove the borders between eastern and western Europe. After the fall of the walls between the social systems, it turned into a successful movement within the international choir and music scene.

What is the Choir Olympics?
The Choir Olympics, organized by the Interkultur Foundation, is the biggest choir event worldwide, which is held every two years. It was first held in Linz Austria in July 2000. After this successful start, the Choir Olympics has become more than just a global choir competition: it is a thousand-fold encounter of cultures, which goes beyond all national borders in a peaceful way. The second Choir Olympics was held in Busan, South Korea in 2002. Bremen of Germany is going to host the third competition in 2004. Xiamen is making all efforts to host the 2006 Choir Olympics.