Vancouver: As part of this year’s Vancouver Taiwan Fest, two musicians from Taiwan and Portugal explored the roots of the traditional Chinese string instrument, the moon lute, and the Portuguese guitar, discussing how both have served as outlets for public discontent. Under the event’s theme of “Dialogue with Portugal,” Chiang Yu-ta, frontman of the Taiwanese folk rock band Tudi-Voice, engaged in a forum on August 24 with Portuguese fado guitar player Simon Arruda. They examined the history and role of the moon lute and the fado guitar in their respective societies.

According to Focus Taiwan, Chiang described the moon lute, often referred to as the “beggar’s lute,” as historically a busking instrument for Taiwan’s socially marginalized individuals, whose livelihoods depended on it. Despite its simplicity, with only two strings, the moon lute demands a high level of improvisation from the player. Invented nearly 300 years ago, it faced prohibition during Taiwan’s authoritarian era, almost leading to its extinction. Chiang mentioned his aspiration to perform internationally since he began playing the instrument a decade ago, and expressed joy at realizing this dream.

Chiang highlighted that Taiwanese musician Chen Ming-chang revived the moon lute about two decades ago when it was nearly forgotten. Its resurgence was aided by elementary schools in Pingtung County’s Hengchun Township integrating it into their curriculum. Chen has also sustained its revival by organizing a moon lute folk festival in Taipei’s Beitou District for over ten years, fostering intergenerational engagement with the instrument.

Meanwhile, Arruda, among the few fado guitarists in the greater-Vancouver area, detailed the 250-year history of the 12-string fado guitar. Initially used by seamen and the poor to convey life’s hardships, it became a vehicle for expressing discontent with Portugal’s autocratic government from 1933 to 1974. During this period, fado music faced government censorship. However, democracy advocates used a fado piece as a rallying cry in 1974, broadcasting it as a signal for public protest, which led to the regime’s downfall.

After the forum, Arruda shared with CNA his transition from playing jazz guitar to embracing the fado guitar five years ago, sparked by a gift from his father. His fascination with the instrument deepened his understanding of Portuguese language and culture. Arruda noted the similarities between the moon lute and the fado guitar, emphasizing their roles in representing the people’s voice and their versatility in performance.

Chiang reflected on the exchange with Arruda, acknowledging the shared history of authoritarianism in Taiwan and Portugal. He admired how fado music played a role in political transformation in Portugal. Taiwan Fest is an annual cultural festival that explores the connections between Taiwan, Canada, and the world through various events, including music performances, films, talks, culinary programs, exhibitions, and workshops.