President Chen Shui-bian this evening went to Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan to present awards to winners of the second "Songs of Taiwan" contest. The President also delivered a speech during the ceremony.
President Chen expressed his greatest respect to all participants in the music contest regardless of wining or not as they have expressed and shared the love and concern for this land and society. The President also congratulated the 11 award winners while extending his best gratitude toward the judges for the tough selection process.
The President's speech:
Today marks the second presentation ceremony of the "Songs of Taiwan" contest held by the National Cultural Association. I am very excited and honored as I join with everyone here, the lover of Taiwanese folksongs, this gorgeous event. I will also enjoy with all of you later on a concert of the winning songs, and I am already looking forward to the performance now. I hope that through this contest of the "Songs of Taiwan" the Taiwanese music will become even more rich and beautiful than before.
In this year's contest of the "Songs of Taiwan" over 200 songs and lyrics have entered the fray. While not all submitted works can win awards, I extend my greatest respect to all participants in the contest whether or not you have won in the contest, because you have expressed and shared with others your love and concern for this land and society. I also want to congratulate the 11 award winners and extend my best gratitude toward the judges for this tough selecting job.
Thank all the distinguished guests for attending the ceremony today. It is because of your support and hard work that the second "Songs of Taiwan" contest can conclude with success. I believe that to keep these wonderful pieces of work of the "Songs of Taiwan" is to record for every age of Taiwan its very best music and songs that bring us joy and prompt the Taiwanese music to turn a new lease on life. I wish health and happiness to you all. Thank you.