One could say Oliver Mtukudzi’s mission was to teach through music. A natural philosopher, he used his lyrics, husky voice and his “Tuku” music, to gently guide his fellow African brothers and sisters on many social issues such as poverty, alcohol abuse and HIV/AIDS. His “Tuku” music was a mixture of southern African music traditions, including mbira, mbaqanga, jit and the traditional drumming styles of the Korekore. He influenced four generations in Zimbabwe with his music, lacing his songs with messages about morality, self-respect, happiness and challenges in life, hope and peace.

During this mid-autumn festival season, we wish you a warm and blissful time with your loved ones as we gather to enjoy the full moon season and pay respect to the gracious Moon who has been offering us boundless love and eternal beauty since ancient times. Every mid-autumn season, children run here and there joyfully with colorful lanterns. No one knows exactly when the lantern parade tradition began, we’ve only been told that it’s closely connected to a beautiful and touching legend. We now invite you to enjoy this ancient tale with us.

Next is the performance from China, which presents a song titled “Watching the Moon.” The song’s melody is smooth, the lyrics are warm, the meaning is profound. The song expresses the deep feelings, boundless praises and love towards our Master. “When I am looking at the moon, I am always thinking of You. When I am looking at You, I am thinking about the moon. In this world, the most beautiful is the moon. But the one that’s more beautiful than the moon is You. In the days without You, I often watch the moon. The pure and bright moonlight is like Your face.”

The next program is also from our friends of Mongolia, who have brought us a Mongolian folk song “Noonzaya.” It is a ballad about missing one’s homeland. A beautiful and kind-hearted young lady Noonzaya was married to a faraway stranger as arranged by her parents. She missed her homeland and kinfolks dearly. Next, Taichung Center from Formosa (Taiwan) will present a short play, “The Three Moons of Li Bai.” This play has adapted Li Bai’s poem “Remembering Qin’e” into a song titled “Protecting the Glaciers.” It serves as a metaphor advocating that humans should love the earth and adopt veganism to protect the glaciers and the earth.

According to the Lunar calendar, the moon is the fullest on the 15th day of the 8th moon, which usually corresponds to sometime between September and October of the Gregorian calendar. On this day, our ancestors used to hold festivities in celebration of the harvest. Many Asian countries continue to celebrate this traditional holiday by spending happy times with families and friends, eating yummy mooncakes and gazing at the full moon. On September 23, 2018, our Association members from around the world held a mid-Autumn Festival celebration at Kaohsiung, Taiwan, also known as Formosa. This is the message from our Beloved Master: “Thank you! Have a good time. Love Love.”

But we cannot say goodbye without first saying thanks to other artists. To all of them, our gratitude. Same to the theater staff of this Danza Theater. So we hope that our country keeps walking through the paths of art. And to all of you, thank you very much. And see you next April 3rd. “Well it seems to me something so noble, for me it is like a fairy tale come true. Because, all of us artists have a message to communicate to humanity. Then it is beautiful that someone makes it universal and allows us to get that voice out and share it with everyone.”

Poetry is the Eternal Breath. And matter is an illusion that happens. Never mind that seas and rivers, flowers, snow and waterfalls, are atoms of this or the other, made from energy or substance; The truth is, that there is poetry in what they do and there will always be beauty in what they do. The agitated bridge, the smooth lake, the fall of water, the ice in summits, the blizzard in fury, the snowy cloud in the dark cloud, they are not the same. Although they have identical hydrogen and oxygen molecules; that it’s not enough for the person with an artist’s heart and an apex of God in their gaze, to say that things are just states of matter, when they are states of the soul instead.

Today, I want to share with you two Afghanistan stories collected by Idries Shah. Born in India to a family of Afghan nobles, Mr.Shah grew up in England. He is given credit for introducing the wisdom of Sufism to the West. Our first story, “The Boy Without a Name,” is an odl tale that has been told in Afghanistan for over a thousand years. This lovely Afghanistan story is a parable of searching for spiritual enlightenment. In this world, there are many things that make us lose ourselves. A true friend able to remind us of who we really are is precious.

Supreme Master Ching Hai says: “Celebrate your artists and let them know in life how important their work is and how much light they bring to the world with their talent.” Let’s now listen to three wonderful boleros. We are going to make this serenade sung and danced. It was a light. That illuminated my whole being. It’s loving and peaceful way to establish relationships and to solve and advance, create and invent.

On April 3rd, 2019, to commemorate the 2nd International Artist Day, members of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association in Costa Rica organized an artistic event in the Teatro de la Danza, located in the Ministry of Culture’s main facility. Many participants expressed deep appreciation for being a part of this tribute to artists, commemorating their positive effect on society. “Well here’s a lot of people who have many many gifts and possibly, if we made an experiment and we got all those gifts, we would all be flying.”

Aulacese (Vietnamese) Classical Opera is a theatre art and is considered as a national intangible cultural heritage. Next is a moving drama entitled "A Saintly King" that entails a noble view of life. This poor man threw the stone and the tree gave him a sweet fruit to assuage his hunger for one day. And I'm the King of all beings, the jewel of humans, why should I be less worthy than a tree? That's why I ordered to have this poor man be provided for from today for the rest of his life. The Lô Lô people is one of the 54 ethnic groups in Âu Lạc (Vietnam). Bringing nature’s wild beauty to life, the Lô Lô’s culture and festivals are filled with cheerful colors and optimism.

Mother, killing King Erg is to avenge for you and the people of Worry-Free Kingdom. My son! Hatred is like a double-edged sword. It will harm yourself at the time of hurting others. Due to ignorance, people don’t know that everything happening now is caused by the karma of past lives. My son, you vowed to be compassionate before, which can dissolve hatred accumulated from many lives. You must use your wisdom to endure the hardship and let go of the hatred! A forgiving person with no evil doings will earn respect. Purifying your heart is the wisest things to do. “The merciful has no enemies and the benevolent holds no hatred.”

From the past to the present time, art has been the pride of the Aulacese (Vietnamese) people. Presented in many creative forms and performances, artists are the ones that convey messages that elevate our lives. When the royal court of Elegant Music (Nhã Nhạc) was recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and lntangible Heritage of Humanity, since then the royal court dance has been “elevated.” “Lưu Bình-Dương Lễ” is an Aulacese modern folk opera, depicting devoted friendship, noble sacrifice and unwavering faithfulness.

According to Daniel Rager’s publication entitled The History of the Marimba, “The Marimba in its simplest form originated［…］long ago. It was one of the earliest melodic instruments made by ［hu］man［s］and references suggest it was widespread throughout Asia and Africa.” Indeed, according to the American marimbist and ethnomusicologist Vida Chenoweth, approximately fifteen hundred years ago, a group of Malayo-Polynesian speaking peoples migrated to Africa, probably to Madagascar, and carried a xylophone-type instrument with them.

This is such a good chance for revenge. I have made this devil running around. Now he is totally exhausted and in agony. I am holding the carved dragon saber in my hand and waiting for the right moment to strike. With a small movement of my arm, I can revenge for my country and my family. Look at him, such a fragile old man. He is not as powerful and strong as he used to be. His heart is dark and full of restless fear. He entrusts his life to me. He spoils his daughter just like an ordinary father. Even the evilest person has a trace of mercy in the heart. He can’t sleep in peace and keeps asking for forgiveness in his dream. Time and tides wait for no one. Even a thousand-man army could win nothing!

Music plays a very important role in the inner life of Aulacese (Vietnamese) people. Apart from music, poetry has also contributed in elevating Aulacese art to a more brilliant level. Âu Lạc (Vietnam) is truly a country overflowing with blessings, but the greatest gift it has been bestowed is its spiritual heritage. You can see from the shape of the land that Âu Lạc is very special. There is the “S”-shape just like in the Tao symbol. Âu Lạc is the only country with this kind of shape!

Princess is truly fortunate! It was this gentleman who jumped into the lake to rescue you. Father! He is the one who saved my life. His name is Wang Chang Fa. Since you saved my Princess, I forgive your rudeness. I also want to give you a great reward. I grant you the role of King’s personal bodyguard. I feel sorry for these poor maids who are about to lose their lives. To save my own life, I dare not seek a career in the government. Oh, I see. Wang Chang Fa. I have already spared the lives of those maids. From now on, you are my personal bodyguard. You must do your best to protect me. Yes, your Majesty!

Au Lac is among the most enriched nations in this world. Nowadays, in Au Lac, plant-based diet is not just a religions obligation, but has become a Green trend for health and the environment. The Aulacese people regard highly noble spiritual values. Deeply instilled with Buddhism and Confucianism at a young age, the Aulacese are taught moral values, such as “Love others as yourself”. That talent and virtue must go hand in hand, if one wishes to become beneficial to their family and society. Au Lac has everything. There are morals, piety, harmony, and four thousands years of civilization. It is one of the most ancient countries in the world.

In the last show, the strong Wuda Kingdom army defeated the Worry-Free country army. King Zapoda sacrificed his life to save his people. Prince Chang Sheng escaped, but where will his destiny lead him? The Wuda King sets checkpoints everywhere. Portraits and notices make it hard for me to walk around. Pulling myself together, I walk in the woods. Where can I find a place to rest an have a meal? How come his face looks really failiar? I heard that police everywheere are trying to seize felon. The Prince is worth a ton of gold. My luck has finally come!

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc predicted that Au Lac will become the 17th largest economic powerhouse in the world by the year 2025. Because the government is good. And now, the citizens also support the government. The Phong Nha Cave, where the UNESCO has recognized it as a world natural heritage site. In the central region of Au Lac you can find the of Hue, known for its ancient palaces and shrines. There are many traditional values in Au Lac that leaves lasting impressions on people around the world. Au Lac is world-famous for its beautiful beaches 2,025 miles of coastal line.