Song for Para Games evokes human spirit

The promotional song for the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games — We Are One — was unveiled on Monday to mark the 300-day countdown to the event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.

The Games, originally scheduled to take place from Oct 9 to 15 this year, have been postponed and are set for Oct 22 to 28, 2023.

Ying Yihang, the lyricist of the song, is a poet living in Hangzhou. He said the song was dedicated to disabled athletes who will visit Hangzhou from different countries and cultural backgrounds.

"Hangzhou is a beautiful, caring and inclusive city, so the song should convey a warm and human feeling," Ying said. "Therefore, the song's theme is deep with emotional power."

Since athletes with disabilities face their own physical challenges — on top of challenges from their competitors during the Games — their professionalism "conveys different possibilities of life," Ying said. "It brings out the bravest and most beautiful spirit when we face difficulties in our lives."

Composer Yang Fan said, "The lyrics of the song are warm and full of imagination. The style of this song is actually a mix and match. Pop elements have been put in so that the song sounds gentle; yet it carries a grand, upward and positive feeling."

Qian Sishu, the goodwill ambassador of the Zhejiang Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe, said, "I was deeply touched when I listened to the song and I wept while singing it. We can strongly feel the athletes' unyielding, persistent, brave and fighting spirit in the music."

Fang Xiaoying in Hangzhou contributed to this story.