{"id":13110,"date":"2022-07-14T02:02:09","date_gmt":"2022-07-14T02:02:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/?p=13110"},"modified":"2022-11-17T08:46:40","modified_gmt":"2022-11-17T08:46:40","slug":"min-on-music-journey-no-57-norway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/13110\/min-on-music-journey-no-57-norway\/","title":{"rendered":"Min-On Music Journey No. 57: Kingdom of Norway"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to Min-On\u2019s Music Journey! Today, the Min-On Concert Association and Embassy of Norway in Japan welcome you to Norway, located on the western side of the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-13113\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Norway1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><em>\u00a9VisitNorway.com<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Norway lies within the Arctic Circle, where visitors can witness the unparalleled beauty of the country\u2019s night sky. The Norwegian city of Troms\u00f8 is a particularly famous travel destination, and travelers flock to it to enjoy the polar night sky in the winter and the midnight sun in the summer.<\/p>\n<table width=\"680\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"680\"><strong>Travel guide for Norway:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u30fbExperience the enchanting polar sky and midnight sun in Troms\u00f8<br \/>\n\u30fbEnjoy views of the magnificent fjords that can only be found in Scandinavia<br \/>\n\u30fbDiscover the true nature of the &#8220;Queen of Stavkirke&#8221;<br \/>\n\u30fbVisit the top travel destinations around the capital of Oslo<br \/>\n\u30fbGet a R\u00f8ros Tweed blanket of your very own<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-13114\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Norway2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><em>\u00a9Alexander Benjaminsen &#8211; VisitNorway.com<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Norwegian society, known as the &#8220;Nordic Model&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Scandinavian countries are known for their strong social welfare programs and public services, and Norway in particular is a model case. We&#8217;d like to begin by introducing two key aspects of Norwegian society, the face of the Nordic Model.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A strong sense of equality, including regarding gender<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>About 70% of women in Norway hold a job. There is also a law that the ratio of women to men on the boards of state-run companies and publicly-listed companies must remain above 40%.<\/p>\n<p>In Norway, where gender equality has taken strong root, many couples live together in common-law marriages, and wedding ceremonies are relatively simple. Wedding receptions are also generally humble affairs involving family and relatives.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-13115\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Norway3-copy-1024x339.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"339\" \/><em>\u00a9<\/em><em>VisitNorway.com (left)<\/em><em>, \u00a9Christin Eide (right)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;d like to take this opportunity to feature a song associated with Norwegian weddings. Please enjoy the beautiful harmonies of the Norwegian Girls Choir, whom Min-On had the pleasure of hosting in 2014, below.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bruremarsj<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BJlJ6D0q5IQ?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/www.min-on.org\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen title=\"\u3010Min-On Music Journey\u3011\u201cBruremarsj\u201d | Norwegian Girls Choir | Tokyo\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table style=\"height: 213px;\" width=\"837\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"699\"><strong>Bunad,<\/strong><strong> the national dress<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>On special occasions like weddings and baptisms, Norwegian people may wear traditional dress called <em>bunad<\/em>. Women typically wear a white blouse paired with a long pinafore dress, and there are over 450 traditional variations for the color, shape and embroidered patterns on the dress. It&#8217;s thought that the long silhouette and delicate embroidery of the <em>bunad<\/em> served as the model for the costumes of Disney&#8217;s <em>Frozen<\/em>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-13116\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Norway5-copy-1024x486.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"486\" \/><em>\u00a9Anne-Lise Reinsfelt, VisitNorway.com (left), \u00a9Terje Rakke, VisitNorway.com (right)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>An environmentally conscious nation where electric vehicles (EVs) are the norm<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Due to its location close to the Arctic, Norway is highly susceptible to the effects of environmental issues. Norway is known for its swift signing the Paris Agreement, for its particularly strong greenhouse gas reduction efforts, and for being one of the leading countries in terms of EV adoption.<\/p>\n<table width=\"652\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"652\"><strong>Status and initiatives regarding vehicles in Norway <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u30fbOver half of new vehicles are electric<br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;\">\u30fbHighest gasoline tax in the world<br \/>\n<\/span>\u30fbSystem of substantial tax breaks regarding EVs<br \/>\n\u30fbExpected to stop selling new gasoline- and diesel-powered cars by 2025<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Norway&#8217;s taxes on luxury goods are the highest in the world, and vehicles are no exception. However, Norway has put policies in place that drastically cut taxes on EVs, which has helped them become more and more popular.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-13117\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Norway7-copy-1024x348.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"348\" \/><em>\u00a9Norwegian EV Association<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Beautiful fjords and World Heritage Sites<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Norway has eight World Heritage Sites, and on today&#8217;s journey, we would like to show you the best among them.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The fjords of Western Norway<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A fjord is a complex set of inlets and landforms carved by glaciers, and they are one of the distinguishing natural features of Scandinavia. The West Norwegian Fjords, Geirangerfjord and N\u00e6r\u00f8yfjord, are the longest and deepest fjords in the world, and UNESCO has registered them as a World Heritage Site.<\/p>\n<p>The west coast of Norway is also home to many other beautiful fjords. The Hardangerfjord, with its gentle mountain ranges, is one of them.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-13118\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Norway9-1024x688.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"688\" \/><em>\u00a9VisitNorway.com<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-13119\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Norway10-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/em><em>\u00a9John Fiddler, VisitNorway.com<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-13120\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Norway11-copy-1024x390.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"390\" \/>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>The port city of Bergen<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Many places in Norway were used as references for <em>Frozen<\/em>. One of them is the Bryggen district in the city of Bergen in southwestern Norway, known for its rows of colorful wooden buildings with triangular roofs.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-13121\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Norway12-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><em>\u00a9VisitNorway.com<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>The Queen of Stavkirke<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Queen of Stavkirke is a nickname for the wooden church in Urnes that became the first Norwegian World Heritage Site. It is the oldest wooden church in the country and is notable for its entirely wooden construction\u2014it does not use any nails. The way the church stands atop a cliff led people to begin calling it a &#8220;queen.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-13122\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Norway13-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><em>\u00a9Torbj\u00f8rn Sundal Holen, VisitNorway.com<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>The capital of Oslo, the center of Norwegian culture<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The capital of Oslo is the political heart of the country, since it is the home of the royal palace as well as the seat of executive, judicial and legislative power. True to its role as the capital of an environmentally conscious country, Oslo earned the title of European Green Capital in 2019 for its achievements in environmentally friendly urban development, such as biofuel- and electric-powered public buses and clean water.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-13123\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Norway14-1024x685.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"685\" \/><em>\u00a9<\/em><em>VisitNorway.com<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Oslo is also well known as a city of the arts. The Norwegian National Gallery, which just opened in June 2022, has over 6,500 works of art on display, including <em>The Scream<\/em> by Norwegian painter Munch.<\/p>\n<p>The city is also home to many other culturally important institutions, including the National Opera &amp; Ballet Theater (commonly called &#8220;The Opera House&#8221;) whose building is known for its highly modern design, Oslo City Hall, which holds the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony, and the Nobel Peace Prize Center across the street.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-13124\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Norway15-copy-1024x356.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"356\" \/><em>The Munch Museum (left;\u00a0\u00a9Munchmuseet) and\u00a0The Opera House (right;\u00a0\u00a9VisitNorway.com)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>A fantastic souvenir: R\u00f8ros Tweed blankets<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>R\u00f8ros is a beautiful village in central Norway that UNESCO registered as a World Heritage Site in 1980. R\u00f8ros is said to be the coldest place in Norway, and for centuries, its people have made their living by making wool goods from the sheep they raise in the nearby mountains, where temperatures can fall as low as 40\u00b0C below zero.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-13125\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Norway17-1024x680.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" \/><em>\u00a9VisitNorway.com<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The R\u00f8ros Tweed company, which was founded in the village in 1938, began as a small weaving business whose fabric was woven by hand in individual family homes. From those humble beginnings, the company gradually gained notoriety for the high quality of its new wool and grew into a brand that is now known throughout the world.<\/p>\n<p>R\u00f8ros Tweed blankets are beloved for their excellent heat retention and moisture-regulating properties paired with their soft and supple texture. There are many variations in design, including the &#8216;ISBJORN&#8217; with its cute white bear pattern and other gentle, soothing design and coloring. Further, because they are so durable, pilling-resistant and stain-resistant, they&#8217;re a very popular as souvenirs that become better with use.<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;d like to feature two songs sung by the Norwegian Girls Choir. This choir was founded as a continuation of its predecessor, the Norwegian Broadcasting Company\u2019s Girls Choir, which was founded in 1947. This is the leading girls&#8217; choir in Norway, and it has fostered a large number of great musicians and played a significant role in Norwegian arts and culture.<\/p>\n<p>Please enjoy their crystalline voices and beautiful melodies.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Eg Aktar Inkje<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UgIYvou4X-o?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/www.min-on.org\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen title=\"\u3010Min-On Music Journey\u3011\u201cEg Aktar Inkje\u201d | Norwegian Girls Choir | Tokyo\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Springdans<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fUFMmkdDBo4?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/www.min-on.org\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen title=\"\u3010Min-On Music Journey\u3011\u201cSpringdans\u201d | Norwegian Girls Choir | Tokyo\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Musicians recommended by the Embassy of Norway in Japan<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In closing, we would like to introduce the musicians recommended by the Embassy of Norway in Japan.<\/p>\n<p><strong>(1) Aurora<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Aurora was raised among the fjords and mountains of Bergen in Norway. With catchy, dreamy and emotional pop songs, often with a touch of mystery, Aurora has managed to build up a huge international fan base. In 2019, she contributed backing vocals to &#8220;Into the Unknown&#8221; from the Frozen II soundtrack and performed the song live on February 9, 2020 as part of the 92nd Academy Awards.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Runaway by Aurora<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/d_HlPboLRL8?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/www.min-on.org\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen title=\"AURORA - Runaway\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>(2) Lise Davidsen<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Norwegian soprano Lise Davidsen burst onto the international stage in 2015 by winning multiple prizes at the Operalia, Queen Sonja and Hans Gabor Belvedere competitions. These were swiftly followed by triumphant debuts at the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Teatro Alla Scala Milan, Bayerische Staatsoper, Wiener Staatsoper, and the Aix-en-Provence, Bayreuth and Glyndebourne Festivals. She has been named \u201cone of the greatest singing talents to emerge in decades\u201d and her voice has been described as &#8220;one in a million.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Dich, teure Halle (<\/strong><strong>Wagner) by Lise Davidsen<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/U9TofuLQOuk?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/www.min-on.org\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen title=\"Lise Davidsen: &quot;Dich, teure Halle&quot; (Wagner) - 21.08.15\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>(3) Mathias Eick<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Mathias Eick is among the most immediately recognizable soloists to have emerged from the Norwegian jazz scene, and his wistful trumpet sound and strongly melodic compositions have met with a positive response around the world.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>For My Grandmothers by Mathias Eick<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/iIRspgdAP88?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/www.min-on.org\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen title=\"Mathias Eick solo - For My Grandmothers\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>What did you think of your music journey to Norway? There are still many more places to go! Please look forward to our next destination.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_13126\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13126\" class=\"size-large wp-image-13126\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Norway18-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-13126\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>\u00a9Yngve Olsen S\u00e6bbe &#8211; www.nordnorge.com<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<p>(Produced in collaboration with the Embassy of Norway in Japan, who also provided photos.)<\/p>\n<p>Min-On Concert Association<\/p>\n<p>\uff0dMusic Binds Our Hearts\uff0d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to Min-On\u2019s Music Journey! Today, the Min-On Co [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13168,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"Welcome to Min-On\u2019s Music Journey! Today, the Min-On Concert Association and Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Japan welcome you to Serbia, located on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeastern Europe.<!--more-->\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-large wp-image-12741\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Serbia1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/>\r\n<em>Photo by Aleksandar Milutinovi\u0107<\/em>\r\n\r\nSerbia is located at an important crossroads between Europe and Asia. This includes extensive cultural exchange with Japan, and 2022 marks the 140th anniversary of friendship between Serbia and Japan.\r\n<table width=\"642\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td width=\"642\"><strong>Travel guide for Serbia:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n\u30fbLearn about Serbian culture and history in the capital of Belgrade\r\n\r\n\u30fbSoak up gorgeous natural scenery at Djerdap National Park along the Danube River\r\n\r\n\u30fbExperience the thrill of EXIT Festival, with 150,000 attendees each year and Gu\u010da Trumpet Festival - one of the world\u2019s most captivating musical events\r\n\r\n\u30fbWatch the incredible footwork of <em>kolo<\/em>, a local traditional dance\r\n\r\n\u30fbTaste <em>mu\u0107kalica<\/em>, a famous Serbian dish<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n<strong>The capital of Belgrade, a place where West meets East<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThe Danube and Sava rivers intersect in the landlocked country of Serbia, creating critical routes connecting it to neighboring countries. The capital of Belgrade stands at the confluence of these two rivers, making it a crossroads of civilization since ancient times.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-12742\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Serbia2-1024x575.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" \/>\r\nPhoto by Andrej Nihil\r\n\r\n<strong>Belgrade city center, brimming with life<\/strong>\r\n\r\nModern Belgrade is a center of culture, including cultural events and institutions like the Serbian National Theatre, the Serbian National Museum, the Belgrade Academy of Fine Arts and the Belgrade Philharmonic. Blessed with a mild continental climate, here visitors can savor the scenery during all the seasons as they stroll beautiful city streets and take in local architecture.\r\n\r\nThe dense and raw modernist architecture of New Belgrade, across the Sava River, with its remarkable structures built after World War II is best described as a lively residential area packed with restaurants, shopping malls, cafes and more.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-12743\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Serbia3-copy-1024x664.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"664\" \/>\r\nPhoto by Zoran Spremo\r\n\r\n<strong>Kalemegdan Park (Belgrade Fortress)<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThe Kalemegdan Park is the oldest cultural landmark in Belgrade. Also known as Belgrade Fortress, its solid, imposing outer walls serve as a symbol of the city's history of warfare dating back to before the birth of Christ. Today the fortress serves a new role, serving as a positive influence in the hearts and minds of everyone who visits\u2014it\u2019s famous for having the most beautiful view overlooking the Danube and Sava rivers.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-12744\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Serbia5-1024x398.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"398\" \/>\r\n\r\nThe city also illuminates the fortress at night. The enchanting sight of the illuminated fortress is a famous \"secret side\" of this landmark. There is also a natural history museum and military museum within the park, making it a fantastic location to experience both the culture and history of Serbia.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-12745\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Serbia6-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/>\r\n\r\n<strong>Recreation in the beautiful Serbian countryside<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOne of Serbia's key features is the striking contrast between bustling cities and pastoral countryside. There are many locations throughout the country where visitors can savor Serbia's rich natural environment, including rural landscapes of unspoiled natural beauty and lofty plateaus with pure, refreshing air.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-12746\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Serbia7-copy-1024x340.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"340\" \/>\r\nPhoto by Predrag Despotovi\u0107(left)\r\nPhoto by Stefan Kondi\u0107(right) \r\n\r\nSerbia's natural environment offers something for everyone, including outdoor activities like cycling, mountain climbing and rafting, leisurely experiences like walking or bird-watching, and relaxation and wellness for the body and mind in hot springs surrounded by lush forests.\r\n\r\nOne of the five national parks, Djerdap National Park in particular is a treasure trove of natural wonders across an expansive 64,000 hectares, including gorgeous landscapes around the Danube River, geological heritage and breathtaking ravines.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-12747\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Serbia9-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/>\r\nPhoto by Branko Radi\u010devi\u0107\r\n\r\nPlease enjoy watching the tourism videos below, as produced by the National Tourism organization of Serbia.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/ynjYlYeGvpw\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n<strong>Serbian music culture<\/strong>\r\n\r\nSerbia has a rich artistic and cultural history, and currently hosts numerous music, theater and film festivals throughout the year. In particular, Novi Sad, the second largest city in northern Serbia, was chosen as the 2021 European Capital of Culture (a culturally rich city chosen each year by EU member nations to promote international understanding).\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-12748\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Serbia10-copy-1024x338.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"338\" \/>\r\nPhoto by Aleksandar Milutinovi\u0107 \r\n\r\nEvery July, Novi Sad hosts EXIT Festival, the largest music festival in Southeast Europe. Musicians from many genres, including rock, electronica, hip-hop and R&B come to perform on the festival's stage at Petrovaradin Fortress. The world-famous event draws at least 150,000 spectators every year! Please enjoy a video below of the festival in 2021.\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/i0FuvHoTkwU\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nEvery year in August, a small and quiet town of Gu\u010da in Central Serbia turns into a big party and a bustling stage for some of the best brass bands. The air is filled with the sound of trumpets and smell of traditional Serbian food, and with many domestic and international visitors Gu\u010da Trumpet Festival is truly once in a lifetime experience.\r\n\r\nAnother essential aspect of Serbian musical culture is <em>kolo<\/em>, a traditional dance that UNESCO registered as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2017. The word <em>kolo<\/em> means \"circle,\" and it is performed by a group linked by holding hands or locking elbows in a circle.\r\n\r\n<em>Kolo<\/em> is defined by swift, intricate dance steps, performed precisely in sync by dancers who hardly move from the waist up\u2014an incredible sight to behold. Flashy, colorful and traditionally embroidered national costumes worn by the dancers moving to the two-step rhythm are another part of <em>kolo\u2019s <\/em>charm, and it\u2019s still performed today at festivals and weddings.\r\n\r\nPlease enjoy the spectacular dance performance by the National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble Kolo, recommended by the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Japan.\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=CnfP6cj0gp4\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n<strong>National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble Kolo<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<em>National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble Kolo was founded in Serbia in 1948, with the aim of collecting, arranging and preserving the general national dance, song and musical treasures. Since establishment it\u00a0<\/em><em>has performed more than 6,000 times in front of more than 12 million people.<\/em><em> T<\/em><em>he ensemble performed with great success in Japan on four occasions: in 1959, 1973, 1987 and most recently in 2010, and it has numerous fans of all generations throughout Japan.<\/em>\r\n\r\nIn 2018, just one year after UNESCO registered <em>kolo<\/em> as Intangible Cultural Heritage, UNESCO registered singing to the accompaniment of the Gusle as Intangible Cultural Heritage. Primarily heroic epic poems are performed accompanied by this traditional single-string instrument, placed on the lap or held between the knees and played using a bow. This method of playing the instrument has the unique effect of allowing the range of the instrument to perfectly match the vocal range of the player's singing voice.\r\n\r\nBelow, please enjoy a gusle performance.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/5vQv6hlzozs\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nInterestingly, one of Japanese folk songs Tanabata-sama made its way to Serbia in 1960s, where it has become one of the most cherished nursery songs called \u201c\u0160u\u0161ti, \u0161u\u0161ti bambusov list\u201c, also taught in primary schools and sung by choirs. Here you can enjoy the performance of this song in Serbian and Japanese by Shinsuke Usui, Yuki Saito and Kenji Kanematsu during a concert organized by the Embassy of Serbia to mark the jubilee of \u00a0140 years of friendly relations between Serbia and Japan.\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=hi2NaT6SI8c\r\n\r\n\u00a9Embassy of Serbia\r\n\r\n<strong>Serbian delicacies: mu\u0107kalica and ajvar<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Mu\u0107kalica<\/em>, grilled pork braised with paprika and tomato paste, is one of Serbia's most well-known dishes. Serbian cuisine was influenced by Turkey and central Europe before developing into a unique culinary culture.\u00a0In 2021,\u00a0<em>Mu\u0107kalica<\/em> was released for the first time in Japan by Matsubara Foods Corporation (Fukuoka City) as a packaged food. This marks the first time that a Serbian dish has been produced and sold in Japan.\r\n\r\n<em>Ajvar<\/em> is a paste made from paprika, with some variations adding other ingredients like eggplants or tomatoes. It's sold by the jar as one of Serbia's most popular spreads. Serbian paprika is rich and smoky with an underlying sweetness, and it\u2019s an especially important local ingredient.\r\n\r\nThe delicious flavor of Serbian paprika is strongly concentrated in <em>ajvar<\/em>, making it perfect for pairing with anything including meat dishes, pasta, cheese or bacon. It's also more than a seasoning\u2014it can be eaten as-is, somewhat like a salad, making it a versatile ingredient as both supporting flavor or main dish.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-12749\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Serbia12-copy-1024x610.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"610\" \/>\r\n<em>Mu\u0107kalica (left) and Ajvar photo by Andrej Nihil (right)<\/em>\r\n\r\nThere are many other Serbian dishes that can't be easily translated into foreign languages. For those who would like to know more, we recommended <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC1ZD5tmkDzsCazBf0xaOtqg\/featured\">Ms. Tijana Nagato\u2019s YouTube channel<\/a>, the secretary of the Serbian Embassy who is also a cooking teacher.\r\n\r\nShe demonstrates dishes that you can make at home, and her videos are easy to understand. Why not take a look to explore a new Serbian dish?\r\n\r\n<strong>Musicians recommended by the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia to Japan<\/strong>\r\n\r\nIn closing, we would like to introduce the musicians recommended by the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia to Japan.\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li><strong> Pa\u0161ona kolo<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GzLuRjIFh7g\r\n\r\n<strong>Nemanja Radulovic<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Nemanja Radulovi\u0107, the Serbian violin virtuoso has taken the classical music world by storm with his extraordinary playing, depth of expression and daring repertoire. He was born in Serbia in 1985. He has performed with some of the world\u2019s leading orchestras, including the Munich Philharmonic and Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. He has a fan club in Japan, with avid followers, and has a bar named after him in Yokohama.<\/em>\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n<ol start=\"2\">\r\n \t<li><strong> In Corpore Sano<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=nBtQj1MfNYA\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n<strong>Konstrakta<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Konstrakta is a Serbian singer and songwriter. She represented Serbia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy with \"In corpore sano\u201d, where she placed 5th out of 40 competing entries, but won the Artistic Award, which is presented to the best artistic performance as voted for by the commentators from each participating broadcaster. She is currently one of the most popular and talked-about artists not only in Serbia, but Europe as well.<\/em>\r\n<ol start=\"3\">\r\n \t<li><strong> Navali Se \u0160ar Planina\r\n<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=XrVvtL0dLHA\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n<strong>Teofilovi\u0107, Ratko and Radi\u0161a<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThe twin brothers Teofilovi\u0107, Ratko and Radi\u0161a interpret the traditional musical and poetic heritage of Serbia with an authentic a cappella duet. They held a large number of concerts in almost all major cities including Europe, Japan and the United States. They performed in some of the major world festivals, such as the World Performing Arts Festival in Osaka.\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n<ol start=\"4\">\r\n \t<li><strong> Aksion esti<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yPqRAqQ8ZpM\r\n\r\n<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Divna Ljubojevi\u0107<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<em>Divna Ljubojevi\u0107 is a Serbian singer and conductor of Orthodox Christian sacred music in various languages. <\/em><em>She joined Serbia\u2019s oldest choir, the First Belgrade Singing Society, where she became the youngest conductor in the group\u2019s history - which dates back to 1853. In 1991 Divna founded the spiritual choir and studio Melodi. She has since performed over 600 concerts in Europe, Asia and North Africa - leaving both audiences and critics breathless.\u00a0<\/em>\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-12750\" src=\"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Serbia14-1024x569.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"569\" \/>\r\nPhoto by Predrag Despotovi\u0107\r\n\r\nWhat did you think of your music journey to Serbia? There are still many more places to go! Please look forward to our next destination.\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n(Produced in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Japan and the National Tourism organization of Serbia, who also provided photos.)\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nMin-On Concert Association\r\n\r\n\uff0dMusic Binds Our Hearts\uff0d\r\n\r\n\u00a0","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[187,415],"tags":[95],"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Chinese Traditional - Min-On Website","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13110"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13110"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13110\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13547,"href":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13110\/revisions\/13547"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13168"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13110"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13110"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13110"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}