The marriage of music and activism

The third Migration Music Festival is about entertainment with a conscience

The union of music and activism continues this weekend in Taipei with the third Migration Music Festival showcasing musicians and activists from around the world. While five bands bring into focus the political injustice of their own society under the theme "Loud and Free," the festival also encourages a dialogue between local and visiting artists through documentaries, guest lectures and workshops.

This year's theme, said Shih Fong Jihong, chief director and founder of the festival, represents how musicians use their instruments to express opposition to social injustice in society. It also takes into consideration those who do not have the luxury to speak freely.

"Festivals can be used for people to celebrate different ethnic identities in the world and they can also address the mistreatment of minorities in society," said Jihong. "There are so many different cultures in the world and this is a good way to engage people from various backgrounds."

Inspired by the collective effort of Riddu Riddu, a large indigenous-music festival held in the small Norwegian village of Gaivuona, Jihong invited the event's founder, Henrik Olsen to speak at this year's Migration festival. Rather than attend on his own, Olsen decided it would be more beneficial to bring a few Riddu musicians and organizers to share experiences with likeminded individuals in Taiwan. In the end, he could not raise enough money and had to downsize his delegation from five to three.

Olsen selflessly passed on his role as guest speaker to fellow Riddu organizer and Vajas member, Ande Somby. Although disappointed that Olsen will not be able to attend the show, Jihong is touched by his gesture. "It is this kind of attitude that prompts people to get involved and volunteer in grassroots activities," she said. And it is the same attitude that prompted Jihong to launch the first Migration Music Festival in 2001. "Our aim is not just a party with music but to involve people to encourage more educational activities."

The result is a weekend filled with options, including a documentary film festival and several workshops by program participants. One of the highlights promises to be a discussion led by Taiwanese documentary filmmaker Mayaw Biho, whose films deal with the ostracism of the Pangcah Aboriginal tribe.

The Sami, an indigenous people of northwestern Europe, are also a major focus of this year's show. Anita Lervolle, a Sami filmmaker, has captured the history and traditions of her people in a documentary film titled Greater Than Ourselves, which will be screened on Sunday. Ande Somby, co-founder of Riddu and a practising civil rights lawyer specializing in Sami law, will speak on how festivals can be used to raise issues of indigenous people's rights, in addition to the challenges of organizing such large events.

The major challenge of staging a Migration Music Festival, Jihong said, is the same as that of any non-commercial festival: funding. As a free event, the festival is run entirely on public donations, government sponsorship and volunteers.

The show will open with Taraf de Haidouks, a renowned Gypsy band from Romania. Ranging in age from 20 to 70 years of age, the 12 musicians have gained recognition across Europe where they've sold out venues in London and much of northern Europe. They've even become the talk of Hollywood, where according to online reviews, they have been flown out at the expense of Johnny Depp to play private parties in the US.

Sami vocalist Ande Somby will be heard with the accompaniment of fellow musicians who make up Vajas. Combing classical violin, melodic vocals and synthesized effects, Vajas is equipped to take listeners on a new age Arctic journey. The Warsaw Village Band will perform a repertoire of Polish folk-dance melodies. Made up of six musicians playing string and percussion instruments, the group's formation stems from a desire to explore the folklore and sounds of their ancestors while maintaining a contemporary style.

What originated as a side project aimed at lifting the spirits of residents after the 1995 earthquake in Kobe, Japan, has lead to a fulltime gig for activist rockers, Soul Flower Mononoke Summit. Also know by its punk band alias, Soul Flower Union, the Japanese band performs acoustic material and rocked up versions of traditional Japanese folk songs.

From not so far away, Taiwan musicians Sheng Xiang and Water 3 will join the international line-up. After the sepa-ration of his former band, Labor Exchange, Hakka activist and musician Sheng Xiang joined Water 3 to combine his vocals with the sounds of a harmonica, bass and lute (a three-stringed guitar).