Israeli singer connects with China through music

JERUSALEM - Israeli singer Gilad Segev has been spending the past 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 artist's tribute to China. So far six songs have been released.

His love for China began years ago, when he first traveled to the country.

He says he has visited over 20 times since, and has performed in China on numerous occasions.

"China is ... the most beautiful country in the world. You have everything there," Segev says.

"People in Israel really respect China, but they don't know much about it, about the many regions."

He says Chinese history and culture provide an almost never-ending source of inspiration for his music.

Segev says he wants to connect 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 says, adding that he believes the connection between the two peoples is a natural one that can be beneficial to the world.

In April, Segev released a song along with Chinese singer Ha Hui. Titled Be There, the song was dedicated to the people of Wuhan and health workers around China.

Segev sees a 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 time to connect people, and 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 expected 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 says.