Doors to Diplomacy Participants

Balung Elementary School (2006 CyberFair Project ID 4262)
Taiwan, Taoyuan
Official Status: Final Project: Ready for Judging
Teacher:
Category: 8. Local Music and Art Forms

We estimate 11 student(s) from 10 to 11 will work on this entry.

Description of Our Community: Baling is located midway along the Northern Cross-Island Highway in Fuhsing Township, Taoyuan County. The “Upper Baling” part of t his region is located 1220 meters above sea level. Most of the residents are Atayal aborigines and also devout Christians. The “L `ra Mountain” is located squarely in Upper Baling, and in the Atayal language it means “Seen Afar, Most Beautiful Mountain”. From the top of the L `ra Mountain, it’s possible to see the beaches of Yilan, Taipei County’s Hsintien, Hsinchu County, the peak of the Dabajian Mountain, and breathtaking views all around. The region boats the “Largest Collection of Giant Cypress in Southeast Asia" in the " L `ra Mountain Nature Reservation", so many visitors arrive to see the giant trees. Also known as “Northern Taiwan’s Most Oxygenated Area”, it is a favorite of tourists all year round.

Project Description: he renowned Upper Baling Church Choir is made up of devote Christians, who use their God given voices to sing out their love for God as their ancestors’ voices had sang out over the land. Through this project, we hope to record the Upper Baling residents’ other form of singing - Hymns, as a way of preserving our ancestor’s precious gift – the Voice. We will also show the residents sing their ancient Atayal songs to remember the past, and open up the avenue for new Atayal songs to be created and taught. We also hope that we can send this affection to the world by internet with this project. The years may pass and the world will change, but beautiful voices can only be described as "Heavenly”.

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