TAIPEI: Chiayi Mayor Huang Min-hui leaves today as the head of a delegation to attend the 2009 biennial conference of the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) in the United States. During the conference, the mayor will sign an agreement with WASBE chairman Leon J. Bly naming Taiwan as the site for the 2011 WASBE conference.

At a news conference yesterday, Huang showed a six-minute promotional video she will take with her to the US. The video was produced to attract support to the 2011 event and to promote Taiwan.

The video features Taiwanese landmarks, scenic spots in her city in the south of Taiwan, and scenes of bands from home and abroad taking part in last year's Chiayi City International Band Festival.

Huang said she hopes people from around the world will get a glimpse of the beauty of Taiwan and of Chiayi and will get a better idea about her administration's efforts to host the conference.

As part of her plan to conduct cultural exchanges with other regions, Huang will sign the venue agreement using a glass pen designed by physically challenged artist Chao Yuan-te. The pen will then be given to this year's conference chairman, according to a city government official.

To exemplify the Chiayi culture the mayor also plans to hand out a number of koji pottery figurines - a local speciality - when she visits the Chicago city government, the official said.

The 2011 WASBE Conference is scheduled to be held July 3-9 in Chiayi city, followed by the 2011 Chiayi City International Band Festival July 9-17, the official added.

The WASBE Conference features leading conductors, composers, performers and ensembles performing repertoire from around the globe.

It is considered a special event in which participants are able to make personal contact with leading international artists.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 07/09/2009 page2)