Taiwanese singer Wang Leehom became the first Chinese singer that was invited to speak at Oxford Union at the University of Oxford.

According to Asianpopnews website, the singer attended the event after an invitation was made by its organiser, who felt that Wang Leehom has an influence in the Asian music world, and is qualified to propagate the Chinese culture.

Speaking on the theme of "Understanding Chinese Pop", Leehom shared about how he felt alienated in his younger days despite seeing himself as an American, and also shared how music had helped him to integrate in the Western society.

The singer revealed, "I lived in New York and rarely spoke a word of Chinese. But when I was in my third grade, I got teased for being a Chinese. Nonetheless, as soon as I started playing music or singing, the other kids would forget about my race and my skin colour and will see me for who I am."

Leehom also took the opportunity to introduce some of the big names in Chinese music, including A-Mei, David Tao, Teresa Teng and Tsai Chin, saying that he hopes people can enjoy the classic works of these talented artistes.

When asked about his thoughts on the invitation from the union, the singer enthused, "I am very happy that I have another opportunity to fulfil my mission, and that is to promote Chinese pop culture to the world."

Wang Leehom joins the ranks of distinguished speakers that include Albert Einstein, Michael Jackson, Richard Nixon, Johnny Depp, Margaret Thatcher and Winston Churchill, all of whom have been recognised by The Oxford Union.

王力宏受邀于伦敦时间4月21日中午12点在牛津辩论社辩论室(Oxford Union debating chamber)进行演讲。据悉,牛津辩论社(Oxford Union)是一个有190年历史的组织,他们的目标是要成为有趣的和有影响力的人谈判和辩论的聚集点。

主办方表示:“此次邀请力宏来演讲,因为他在全亚洲,特别是中国,有很大的影响力,非常有资格谈论中国文化的传播。”对于此次受邀,力宏也表示非常荣幸:“很高兴有多个机会促成我的使命——把东方流行文化带到全世界。”

在演讲正式开始前,王力宏特别带领现场所有人为在四川雅安地震和波士顿马拉松爆炸案中的遇难者默哀一分钟,并为他们祈福。对此王力宏说道:“近期在东西方四川,波士顿都发生了天灾和人祸,所以,诚心祈祷世界上各民族的人,都尽量可以以‘爱’去包容世间万物。”而力宏也表示接下来将继续通过一直合作的“世界展望会”以最实际的行动去帮助需要帮助的人。

此次王力宏牛津演讲的主题是“认识华流”,他在现场跟大家分享了不少生活轶事,其中不乏切身感受:“童年时会觉得自己完全是个西方的人,可是还是觉得疏远。我曾经走过这条道路,所以更想在这个征途上引导别人。”谈到中西方融合时,他也深感自己肩负的使命:“东方和西方就像大学一年级室友,如果想要愉快地共存,必须了解、理解对方。双方像室友一样,都需要尽自己的努力改善关系,并共同成型全球流。我一直想把东方文化带到世界各地,之前音乐里面也有用过很多中国的元素,让更多人看到东方文化的不同和博大精深。”

王力宏简介:

Wang Leehom is a multi-million album-selling Taiwanese-American pop star who has remained one of the hottest names in Chinese music since his debut in 1995.
王力宏是一位有数百万专辑销量的ABC流行歌手。自1995年出道以来,他在中国成为了炙手可热的明星。

Formally trained at Williams College and the prestigious Berklee College of Music, Leehom has written and recorded songs in a large variety of styles, including pop, rap, hip-hop, jazz and R&B, and is also known for his pioneering infusion of traditional Chinese elements and instrumentation into contemporary music.
王力宏在威廉姆斯音乐学院和享有盛名的伯克利音乐学院接受过正式训练,他创作过不同类型的音乐,包括流行音乐、饶舌、hip-hop、爵士和节奏布鲁斯,他也开创了将中国传统元素和乐器编曲融入现代音乐的先河。

Additionally, Leehom is an acclaimed actor who has starred in the Golden Lion Award-winning "Lust, Caution" from Ang Lee, "Little Big Soldier" opposite Jackie Chan and the self-written and directed "Love in Disguise". He is also well known for his philanthropic work and environmental advocacy, which were cited as reasons he was the only Chinese recording artist selected as a torchbearer for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
除了作为一个成功的歌手,王力宏还是一位受欢迎的演员。他出演过金狮奖最佳影片《色戒》,和成龙合作出演《大兵小将》,还参与编剧并自导自演了《恋爱通告》。同时,他还热衷于慈善工作和环保事业,这也是为什么他被选为2012年伦敦奥运会的火炬手,他也是唯一可以获此殊荣的华人发片歌手。