by Keren Setton
JERUSALEM, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Israeli singer Gilad Segev has been spending the last several months working on a project that combines two of his passions -- music and China.
Segev decided two years ago that he would like to create songs with accompanying video clips representing China's different regions. Launched in June, "Project 34" is the Israeli artist's tribute to China. So far six songs have already been released.
His love for China began years ago, when he began to travel there. He siad he has been to the country for over 20 times, and has performed in China many times.
"China is... the most beautiful country in the world. You have everything there," Segev said. "People in Israel really respect China, but they don't know much about it, about the many regions."
He said that Chinese history and culture provide an almost never-ending source of inspiration for his music.
Segev said he wants to connect the Chinese roots to global folk music.
He attaches great importance to the reaction of the Chinese audiences. "I really want them to love it. I am so happy that until now I get very powerful reactions from my Chinese friends," he said, adding that he believes the connection between the two peoples is a natural one that can be beneficial to the world.
"We both have a deep heritage and very deep roots, so we can together create a brighter future," he added.
In April this year, Segev released a song together with Chinese singer Ha Hui. Titled "Be There," the song was dedicated to the people of Wuhan and health workers around China.
Segev sees the silver-lining during the ongoing pandemic, "We are living in a world that has been through a trauma and I feel that this is the perfect timing to connect people, this is the perfect time to open the heart... it's the time to create the bridge."
Segev has 28 more songs to release, with the project expecting to last for three years.
He hopes his music will be a basis to deepen the relations between the Israeli and Chinese people.
"Project 34 begins with music and videos but I do hope it will develop to be a much bigger thing and I already feel it happening," he said. Enditem
