Trend-setting concerts held at war relic for cross-strait peace

The first-ever concerts on the waterway in the war-relic-turned-tourist attraction Zhaishan Tunnel featured performances by five musicians who wanted to convey their hopes for lasting peace in the Taiwan Strait and an end to war around the globe.

Cellist Chang Cheng-chieh, soprano Lin Hui-chen, flutist Wu Chung-hsien, violinist Chiang Chih-yi and harpist Hung Chi-mei either performed solo or presented famous classics together on a floating stage that shuttled around the A-shaped waterway in the tunnel.

Each of the two concerts drew an audience of about 250 people packed onto a walkway surrounding the waterway.

Members of the audience were thrilled to have had the opportunity to be present at the unprecedented musical performances.

“I feel I'm so lucky to be able to enjoy music in this special setting. I believe it is the first time in the world that a concert has taken place in such an underground tunnel,” said an excited audience member.

Chang, who performed on his 319-year-old Ruggieri cello, said he was amazed by the marvelous acoustics during the concerts, which he described as “much, much better” than what he had expected.

“I have only one word — terrific — to portray today's concerts,” an emotional Chang said, adding that he is determined to give another concert at the venue next year.

Sunday's repertoire focused on gentle, delightful and sentimental pieces, as Chang said he wanted to turn the Zhaishan Tunnel into a romantic Venice-like heaven.

The concerts began with Gounod's “Ave Maria,” Saint-Saens' “The Swan — Carnival of the Animals,” and Creisler's “Liebesleid,” and ended with the pleasing melody of Offenbach's “Barcarolle.”

Located in the southwestern part of Kinmen Island, the underground Zhaishan Tunnel — about 100 meters long, 6 meters wide and 3.5 meters high — is connected to the Taiwan Strait, allowing water to flow in. Its waterway has a pier allowing small boats to dock.

The tunnel performances followed a concert given by the Taipei Symphony Orchestra at the Kinmen County Stadium the previous night, also to commemorate the Battle of Kuningtou.

The battle took place Oct. 25-27, 1949, when nearly 10,000 communist troops in 200 ships invaded the frontline island, which lies just kilometers off the coast of China, as a prelude to seizing Taiwan.

In the ensuing fierce three-day battle, the invaders were utterly routed, losing nearly 4,000 soldiers, with another 5,200 captured. The defeat brought a 10-year halt to Beijing's attempts to take Kinmen, and consequently Taiwan, by force.

In 1958, the communists began a protracted bombardment of Kinmen, but again failed to seize any part of the island.

With cross-strait relations improving, the number of Taiwanese troops stationed in Kinmen has been largely reduced and the island has gradually been transformed into a tourist stronghold, with war sites becoming major tourist draws.

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