Taiwan documentary billed as “world music event of the year” is hosted by Yukon musician Matthew Lien

Taiwan’s government has published a 90-minute documentary introducing Taiwan to the international community. The documentary was supported by Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture, which had appointed Yukon musician Matthew Lien as Cultural Ambassador several years earlier.

The Sound From Taiwan: Celebrating Taiwan’s World Music Soundscape was filmed in some of the most remote locations in Taiwan, and is billed as “the world music event of the year.” The documentary centres on Lien’s concert held earlier this year in Taitung County overlooking the Pacific Ocean, an event which celebrated Lien’s 25th anniversary of creating music in Taiwan.

Performances include some of Taiwan’s most iconic traditional musicians, along with Yukon musicians Alana Martinson (fiddle, vocals) and Elijah Bekk (electric and acoustic guitars) to help Lien present his trademark world-fusion style. Lien became the first foreigner to win southeast Asia’s Grammy-equivalent.

Taiwan is home to Hakka, Hokkien and several distinct Indigenous cultures, and each community contributes something different to the island’s musical soundscape. Despite cultural differences, these diverse ethnic groups live harmoniously in Taiwan and continue to pass down their traditions from generation to generation. To this point, the documentary includes conversations and performances with local musicians and artists who share the histories and meanings underlying their vibrant traditions.

“I’m thrilled that my music can serve as a portal to introduce Taiwan to the world,” said Lien. “I don’t know of anyplace with such a high density of cultural and ecological diversity, and I never seem to run out of inspiration.”

The documentary can be viewed at TaiwanPlus.com and via the iOS and Android TaiwanPlus app.