Today, we’ll examine Denmark’s unique architecture, handicrafts, visual arts, and literature. Kronborg Castle has been standing above a narrow cape between the coasts of Denmark and Sweden for six centuries. It is well known as the home of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The Castle, widely recognized as one of Europe’s most outstanding Renaissance castles, was adopted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000

“Out in the meadows the grain has been cradled; rye and wheat are stacked, and hay will soon be in the barn. Trees have been shaken and fruit has been gathered, and homeward now we wend our way with the final load. We plow the field lightly; it’s an old custom, as the birds and the poor must also be satiated…” We just heard one of Denmark’s most famous folk songs, “Marken er mejet,” or “Harvest So

Today we are delighted to share the rich and vibrant culture of the Garifuna. The community has traditionally been a matrilineal society, where women make decisions and safeguard the members. These lively people are of West African and Amerindian descent, with many living along the Caribbean coast of Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala. To quote the late Andy Palacio, also known as the “Bard

Japan, the “Land of the Rising Sun,” is an island country in East Asia. Although it is a nation with rapid modern development, it has never lost touch with its traditional culture and heritage. The island is blessed with more than 3,000 mineral-rich onsens, fed directly from the 25,000 thermal springs bubbling beneath its unique geothermal archipelago. Furthermore, the ongoing volcanic activities

The Baháʼí faith is one of the fastest growing religions in the world. Founded in the 19th century by His Holiness Baháʼu'lláh in Persia, it is now estimated to have over five million believers all over the world. Bahá means “glory” or “splendor.” There are three central teachings of the Bahá’i Faith, which are the unity of God, the unity of religion, and unity of humankind. Prayers are important

The Inuit are a remarkable indigenous community who are considered the world’s northernmost culture. Living above the tree line in the Arctic, this nomadic group needed to develop special skills to survive. One of the most famous and iconic structures made by the Inuit is the igloo, which they developed as a temporary shelter for the long, harsh winters. An igloo is typically made of very h

The Saraswati veena is one of India’s oldest musical instruments. It is a large fretted lute that is named after the Goddess Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge and art. Often referred to as the “Queen of Instruments,” it is a predominant solo instrument in the Carnatic music, the main style of classical music in southern India, and distinct from the Hindustani music of the north. Since anci

Latin America is a place with many culturally enriched dances. Stemming from Mexico, South America, Central America and the Caribbean, Latin American dances infuse cultural flavour with technical skill to bring exciting performances to audiences worldwide. Modern Latin American dance consists of a wide variety of styles that were formed in separate cities and countries. Some of the dances have been standardised with internationally agreed techniques, rhythms and tempos. The dances generally fall into two categories - the International and American Style. The International Latin Style dances are often performed competitively due to its highly disciplined and technical traits. The dance styles in this category include the Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba, Paso Doble and Jive. The Cha Cha, originally known as Cha Cha Cha, is one of the staples of international Latin dance competitions. The dance is characterized by three quick steps forward and two slower steps backwards - “one, two, cha-cha-cha, three, four, cha-cha-cha.” While maintaining minimal upper-torso movement, dancers sway their hips and straighten their knees on half beats. The slowest of the Latin dances is the Rumba. Considered to be the most romantic of the Latin dances, the Rumba emphasizes movement of the body rather than the feet and is full of emotion and interaction between partners. Each dancer tries to entice the other with side-to-side hip movements and twisted steps. Danced to a basic pattern of two quick side steps and a slow forward step, the Rumba is adaptable to many musical forms that accommodate a quick-quick-slow rhythm. In Brazil, Samba is a popular Latin dance at street festivals and celebrations like the Brazilian Carnival. Set to music with African rhythms, this joyful and lively dance is characterized by rapidly moving hips and quick transfers of weight. Although it is usually performed solo in the Brazilian culture, ballroom versions have been developed where partners dance with bounce and hip rolling motions. The fastest of the Latin dances is the Jive. This happy and extremely energetic dance incorporates plenty of knee-lifting, bending, kicking, flicking and rocking of the hips. Latin American dances are taught in academies all around the world. Through dancing, people of different ages and backgrounds can stay physically fit while building new friendships. Consistent dance practice brings numerous health and social benefits.

The cimbalom, an elaborate stringed instrument found mainly in the Central and Eastern European nations, belongs to the dulcimer family and is played by striking metal strings mounted over a trapezoidal soundboard. Associated with the music of the Hungarian Gypsies, the cimbalom is a symbol of Hungary as well as its national instrument. Cimbaloms come in varying sizes, tone groupings, and string a

Located in the Mediterranean Sea, about 160 kilometers south of the Greek mainland, Crete is endowed with mild temperatures, beautiful natural attractions, and an ancient history and culture. Its land mass is made up of varied terrain, ranging from fine-sand beaches at Elafonisi to the White Mountains. Mount Ida is the tallest peak in this range, and is home to the Ideon Cave, the birthplace of Zeus, according to Greek mythology. Crete consists of four regional units: Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, and Lasithi. Two key landmarks in the capital city of Heraklion are the important Cretan monuments, the Knossos Palace built around 2,000 BC, home of King Minos and his mythical Labyrinth and the Phaistos Palace, built around 1,700 BC above the ruins of an older palace. The Old Town is known for its fairytale atmosphere, featuring the Koules Fortress and ancient defensive wall. The region of Chania on the western side of Crete, which contains the impressive White Mountains (“Lefka Ori” in Greek), has Samariá Gorge National Park occupying the largest part of its area and is home to the precious Cretan Wild Goat. Located between the White Mountains and Mount Psiloritis (also called “Ida”) is Crete’s smallest prefecture, Rethymno, which features gorgeous mountainscape, marvelous beaches, legendary caves, historic monasteries and monuments, traditional mountain villages, and mesmerizing Cretan lyra music. The Lasithi region is less mountainous and is located in the easternmost section of Crete. Key features of the region are the fabled palm tree forest of Vaï, the Gulf of Mirabello, the windmills on the Plateau of Lassithi, beaches with crystalline water, and beautiful cities. Cretans are nature lovers, so the island has many areas that are environmentally protected to preserve habitats and landscape diversity. Due to its amazing scenery, history, legends, local art and culture, Crete will impress you with its endless charms. We pray that the island will continue to develop and prosper in peace and harmony in God’s loving grace.

The Basque Country is a region covering southwest France and northwest Spain that the locals call Euskal Herria, or “Basque speaker.” It is believed that the Basques are descendants of Neolithic farmers who became separated from other European communities due to their geographical isolation. Their land features mountainous terrain, rocky landscapes, coastal lookouts and an abundance of beauty! The

Among the Austronesian peoples of the world, the Bunun aboriginal group of Taiwan (Formosa) lives at the northernmost and highest point on Earth. They are known as the patron saints of Yushan Mountain, the island's tallest mountain. They have an orally-based culture with no written language, and they are also the ethnic group with the most ceremonies among Taiwan (Formosa)'s aborigines. Today, we explore the Bunun’s legends and rituals. The Bunun’s grandest festival is the harvest celebration. The pasibubut (eight-part polyphony) sung at the festival is a world-renowned traditional musical art form. While expressing the group’s best wishes and gratefulness to Heaven, the key point is the singers’ harmony and the sincerity in their hearts, rather than the prayer’s lyrics. The statues at the gate of Tao-yuan Primary School in Taitung County’s Yanping Township are unique. They are of a red-billed black bulbul and toad. These humble animals are the superheroes of a Bunun legend. The Bunun believe that the red-billed black bulbul originally did not have a red beak, red feet, or a black body, and the toad did not exist. The bird's appearance changed, and the toad was created because of saving the Bunun people. All ceremonies are regarded as important events by the Bunun people. For any ceremony, there will be group singing and dancing, just as pasibutbut (eight-part polyphony) is sung to Heaven during the harvest festival. The Bunun plant a staple food called millet. When millet is harvested, they hold a Homeyaya (Millet Offering) and sing to express their gratitude to Heaven. This is a Homeyaya song that the Bunun elders performed for us. Next is a song by the children from the Bunun Tao-yuan Primary School Choir, and is sung especially for our viewers! The meaning of the song is to thank and pray to Heaven and the ancestral spirits for a healthy environment and giving the Bunun people peaceful days!

Today, we present some highlights of the Sámi culture, an indigenous culture present in the northernmost Nordic countries and the Kola Peninsula within the Murmansk Oblast of Russia. Traditionally, the bond between the Sámi and the natural land has been profound and sacred. They have historically lived their lives in accordance with nature. Deeply grounded in the understanding that from the earth comes life, the Sámi hold the view that all beings are threads in the same great fabric. Over history, they looked to nature for guidance and keenly observed symbols in everyday life such as cloud formations, changes in wind patterns and weather, and movements of animals. They watched for and learned from the rhythms of nature. To this day, the Sámi truly respect and cherish Mother Earth. The yoik also played an important role in shamanism. As a historically nomadic people, the Sámi preferred connection to the land over land ownership. Their kinship with nature was pure in the sense that they did not view land as something that could be divided and owned. They didn't erect fences or boundaries. Instead, their lifestyles focused on living in harmony with the natural spaces, using nature’s resources as wisely as possible, and respecting the earth's cycles. This deep respect continues to this day, and committed people of the Sámi culture have spoken out to remind humanity of the necessity to preserve our environment. We wish that the Sámi people continue to propagate their language and their cultural contributions like the yoik for the world to enjoy and celebrate. May we also take to heart their philosophy of treading lightly on our only planetary home.

Today, we visit Oceania to learn about the Māori Tūhoe. New Zealand is a country located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It comprises two main islands, namely, the North Island and South Island plus about 600 other smaller islands. The nation has a population of about 5 million, of which the majority are of European descent, with the Māori forming the most significant minority and then followed by Asians and Pacific Islanders. The Māori call New Zealand Aotearoa. This means the “land of the long white cloud” in the Māori language. They are the original inhabitants of New Zealand, having arrived in the 14th century from Eastern Polynesia. A distinct group of about 40,000 Māori is called the Tūhoe people who are the focus of today’s program. Te Urewera, the Tūhoe’s homeland, is located in New Zealand's North Island. It covers approximately 2,127 square kilometers of rugged hill country and features vast blue-green lakes and fast-running north-flowing rivers. The individuals living in these areas take care of the rainforest. Te Urewera is extremely important to the Tūhoe people, as historically it has been their primary source of food, clothing, medicine, shelter and dignity. The Tūhoe people protect Te Urewera as a precious site via an ancient Māori practice known as kaitiakitanga, which means “guardianship,” through caring and maintaining the ecological system and environment. The key point of the practice is to understand the connection and relationship of people and nature. Humans are linked to the wild and need to protect and care for the mauri, or life force of the forests, rivers and lakes. This involves daily checking of the condition of the woodlands and water bodies through the observation and collection of data, replenishing and planting of native plants and trees, and safeguarding all habitats thus balancing the ecology within the rainforest and its surroundings. To the Tūhoe, mountains are significant places as they are the final resting place of their ancestors. Mountains are reflected in Tūhoe oral traditions, songs and haka or dance as significant symbols of identity. The Tūhoe certainly respect nature. We now share some examples of Tūhoe traditions.

Welcome to our program, “Bartering – Exchanging Goods, Services and Friendship.” Bartering was a system of trade introduced by the Mesopotamia tribes dating back to 6,000 BC. The Phoenicians adopted the system to trade goods with other cities across the oceans. An improved bartering system was developed by the Babylonians and was used to exchange goods for food, tea, spices, and other commodities. With the global adoption of a monetary system, simple bartering of goods and services between people is less practiced, but still exists in some parts of the world. In the Koraput region in India where over 48 indigenous communities live, bartering is still a common practice. Many villages in Malaysia still use bartering as their main means of trade. In recent years, bartering is making a comeback in Hawaii where people see each other as part of the ʻohana, or extended family. With this modern bartering system, people are able to trade services, talent and skills. In Africa, certain countries use bartering to help children get an education. In Nigeria, many schools allow parents to trade in used plastic bottles for their children’s school fees under the RecyclesPay Education Project, a campaign by the African Clean Up Initiatives. The barter system is practiced at an international level between large companies and countries using treaties and trade deals to exchange goods and services. It’s the perfect way for companies to clear obsolete or surplus inventory and achieve zero waste. There are many advantages of bartering. It’s economical and saves resources. Something you no longer use may just be the item someone else has been looking for. The exchange is also more direct, immediate, and personal. It’s an opportunity for interaction between people, a chance to form lasting friendships that are much more valuable. Supreme Master Ching Hai once hinted in a lecture in 1992 that one day, the Earth can even barter with beings from other planets…

Since ancient times, humans have expressed their love and longing for God through singing and music. These holy songs connect us with the Divine and remind us of our heavenly Home. Russia is a multi-continental country stretching from Eastern Europe to Northern Asia and spanning eleven time zones, it is the largest country in the world by area. Russian Orthodoxy has been the main religion for a millennium after Russia adopted Byzantine Orthodox Christianity in 988. The spiritual and artistic Russian people have piously searched for their spiritual elevation, and there are countless Russian holy songs. Today we are privileged to share with you two Russian Orthodox chants performed by the amazing Chór Akademicki UW, or University of Warsaw Choir, one of the oldest academic choirs in Poland. Both chants are from “All-Night Vigil,” a cappella choral composition by the famous Russian composer of the Romantic period, Sergei Rachmaninoff. This extraordinary composition was hailed as “the greatest musical achievement of the Russian Orthodox Church.” The first chant, “Blessed Art Thou, O Lord” is one of the Byzantine Orthodox morning prayers in the ancient Russian language, praising the Lord Jesus Christ who had triumphed over death. This piece expressed such joy for the rising of the Lord Jesus Christ. How fortunate are we to have the Savior, the Son of God, to walk among us and teach us right from wrong. The next chant is called “Blessed is the Man.” The Lord knows the way of the righteous and blessed are those who heed His teachings. May we aspire to heed the messages of the Enlightened Masters and return to our pure, loving self-nature.

Germany stretches across Western and Central Europe, covering about 357,000 square kilometers and shares its borders with nine other European countries. With a population of more than 80 million people, Germany is the second-most populous state in Europe after Russia. Germany’s economy is the fifth-largest in the world, and the German approach is considered a role model for other nations to follow in terms of politics, social policies and economics. The state’s long and rich history arises from a diverse array of religions, customs, and traditions. The nation has been a forerunner of European thought, politics, and art for over 1,000 years. “The land of poets and thinkers” is the historical name for Germany. Its writers and philosophers have played a key role in shaping the development of Western thought. In 2013 and 2014, a BBC global opinion poll regarding various nations found that the majority selected Germany as having the most positive influence in the world. Being a country of intellectuals, it is not surprising that German culture and people highly value reason and logic. Germans respect order and structure and thus believe in strict adherence to rules. “There must be order” is a common expression for all Germans, and it has become a cultural cliché for Germans around the world, as well as a norm for them at home. Germans have contributed enormously to the field of classical music. The nation is home to many renowned classical composers, namely Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Handel, Telemann, etc. Germany is an open and advanced society with some of the world’s most progressive policies regarding gender equality, safeguarding those of diverse sexual orientation, and immigration. Germans value the benefits of a multicultural society, and thus they welcome migrants and refugees with open arms.

Today, we are going to travel to a quintessential tropical island paradise with balmy breezes to learn about an indigenous people whose ancestors came to this beautiful archipelago around 3,500 years ago. Fiji is truly spectacular and features white sand beaches, turquoise oceans, palm trees and fertile land. It’s no wonder the ocean-faring Melanesians, called the Lapita, who found their way to the islands decided to stay and make the archipelago their home. Today, most iTaukei continue to live in their villages with traditional governmental structures. One cultural experience that many tourists enjoy when in Fiji is visiting an indigenous community to observe their way of life. The ancient indigenous Fijians were an ocean-going people who, like many of the Melanesian and Polynesian cultures, built sea-worthy canoes whose capabilities show their civilization had achieved an impressive level of technological advancement. Architecture reveals to us the cultural values, traditions and beliefs of a society. The same can be said of the types of buildings found in Fijian villages, which reflect the influence of communal values that infuse life in Fiji. One of the most important structures is the valenivanua, which is the traditional meeting house or cultural space used by clan heads and the village chief. Meke is storytelling through song, dance and music. For generations, the indigenous Fijians have passed down their history, beliefs, traditions, morals and values through the meke. The Fijian people are as kind, warm and welcoming as their nation’s gentle breezes and tropical waters. May you have the unique opportunity to journey here one day to experience this paradise and the splendid native culture.

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is celebrated on August 9 annually, in recognition of the first meeting of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations that took place in 1982. On this day, the United Nations reminds us of the Native people’s contributions to the world. Globally, we honor their precious efforts to preserve and protect the planet for generations to come. Our show today highlights important work by Indigenous peoples worldwide to bring awareness of the need to safeguard our earth in light of accelerating global warming. Indigenous people around the globe maintain a deep connection with Mother Earth. They tirelessly campaign and advocate for the planet’s respect and protection, as well as carry out rituals, prayers and sacred ceremonies to help Mother Nature maintain balance. They constantly remind us of our interconnectedness. It is through this intrinsic connection that Indigenous groups on all continents have been keenly aware of global warming and the toll that it is taking. Hence, many Indigenous communities have been speaking out, trying to wake up the world to take action to protect our Earth. Indeed, many scientists are issuing similar warnings about our environment and the urgent need to safeguard it. And many Indigenous cooperatives, associations, committees and organizations have been formed to address environmental degradation. The groups also help with climate change adaptation. More Indigenous people are also adopting the vegan diet to protect the environment because of an increased awareness that animal livestock production is inherently cruel as well as the worst polluter and desecrator of the Earth. With the continued efforts of our Indigenous brothers and sisters, the future for our planet is becoming more optimistic!

“The advantage of the Moon Lute is in its performance techniques including loud, soft, long, short notes, and fluttering and snapping sounds with significant depth. When playing the Moon Lute, we have to be dedicated, and make an effort to find its unique features. Otherwise, if we just play it casually, then we can’t make use of all the features of the instrument.” “When the Moon Lute is played, it sounds exceptionally beautiful. The artisan who plays the Moon Lute has to express a very strong style. Thus, the lead instrument of a folk musical orchestra must be a Moon Lute.” Mr. Trương Hùng Việt kindly shared with us some of his experiences in making a Moon Lute that meets optimum standard. “In order to produce a Moon Lute, a very special kind of wood is required for the lute to have good sound. Also, that way, the Moon Lute could last up to 100 years. Especially since it is a string instrument, the older it gets, the more wonderful its sound will be. But its special feature is in its neck, which must be made using the old bamboo culm. It does not matter how well a Moon Lute is made, if the bamboo is not old, then the sound can never be lively, but very dull.” Besides its uniqueness as well as its diverse performing techniques, the value of the Moon Lute is based on its ability to improvise many tones skillfullly, from soft, gentle to strong, majestic sounds. Until today, through many trials, The Moon Lute is still very dear to the Aulacese, faithfully conveying people’s feelings through its sounds. The Moon Lute has truly gained a special place in the hearts of art lovers. To conclude our program, we invite you to enjoy the song “To Be Able to Love You,” composed by Supreme Master Ching Hai, with the Moon Lute performance by a traditional folk music group, and illustrated dance by our Association members.