Taiwanese singer and activist Panai went on stage at the 35th Golden Melody Awards to remind people about the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.
She won Best Taiwanese Language Album and pointed out that this year is the 35th anniversary of the event, coinciding with that of the awards. “We have not forgotten the Tiananmen Square incident,” said Panai, referring to when Chinese tanks crushed pro-democracy demonstrations on June 4, 1989.
The topic remains taboo in China and is officially forgotten, while Taiwan openly discusses it. Beijing maintains it has long settled the matter, and China’s Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to requests for comment.
Panai: “Democracy Is Not An Easy Journey, We Are Pressured”
Panai, a long-time advocate for indigenous rights in Taiwan, said in her backstage comments that “we need democracy and free speech,” and referred to the situation of Taiwan under the shadows of great powers and how the democratic values of this island must be preserved.
She said in a statement to reporters backstage. “Democracy is a lengthy and not an easy journey, we are pressured as we don’t know if we will be bullied by a ‘bigger’ power”
She added.”The reason why I mentioned that event on stage is because. Taiwan’s democracy is a process that all of us need to cherish; our freedom and freedom of speech is what we need to protect.”
Generally, a complete no-show by the Chinese singers was expected, although even less celebrated nominees like Xu Jun, who picked up Best Composer, were on hand. Singer Jude Chiu, who flew in from Taiwan, had to take off early as she wasn’t feeling well, the Central News Agency of Taiwan reported.
Pop has always been an explosion of creativity that doesn’t bow to censorship, making Taiwan’s pop scene an essential cultural force—nowhere more so than in China’s backdoor. The influence of Golden Melody isn’t just for Mandopop but also for Hokkien, Hakka, and Aboriginal languages such as Bunun.
This shows the policy of the Taiwan government in promoting and protecting these hitherto suppressed languages.
Further Reading
Troye Sivan Announces 2024 Australian Tour
Yours Truly Return To Pop-Punk Roots On New Single ‘California Sober’
BTS’ Jimin Shares Pre-Release Single ‘Smeraldo Garden Marching Band’
