On Oct. 8, the Department of Spanish invited part-time music Professor Jia-duo Kang from Taiwan University to give a speech: “Roam South America with Music,” sharing and enjoying South American music with students. Focusing on Brazilian music, Prof. Kang explored the fresh music style derived from the combination of South American indigenous tradition, European culture and African religions.

Giving the lecture completely in English, Jia-duo Kang discussed the rich music culture of South America like Argentina's Tango and Brazil's Samba, etc. Starting with the indigenous music, he showed photos of traditional rituals accompanied with music. After enjoying the music, students not only understood the local traditions but were also able to appreciate the deeper cultural meanings in it. Prof. Kang also pointed out, “South American music has multiple dimensions because it has witnessed historical development in which the European colonialists brought in the African slaves who brought African traditional religions with them.” During the lecture, he kept playing different types of traditional music and telling their historical causes and reasons, leading students to immersing in the jubilant and ebullient atmosphere.

Prof. Kang emphasized, “Appreciating music is not only just to listen to it but also to know “who, when, where and what” about it. Only by understanding the local cultural and social backgrounds, can you really have deeper and profound feeling about it.” Spanish junior student Shi-qi Li gladly said, “I have been always interested in South American music. After this lecture, I have understood the rich cultural meanings in it!” ( ~ Dean X. Wang )