Asian Paralympic Committee’s anthem calls for unity and peace

The Asian Paralympic Committee (AsPC) anthem created by the founder of humanitarian organization Maria Monique Foundation, Natalia Tjahja, calls for unity and peace.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The 2023 Asian Paralympic Committee (AsPC) anthem created by the founder of an Indonesian humanitarian organization, Maria Monique Foundation, Natalia Tjahja, has called for unity and peace.

“My inspiration for making the AsPC anthem is to create a legacy for the Asian Paralympics according to God’s will without being paid. I even gave the royalties to AsPC,” Natalia said in a written statement received here on Tuesday.

The song composed by Natalia, which was arranged by a singer and songwriter, Dwiki Dharmawan, was played when the Asian Paralympic flag was raised at the opening of the regional Olympics in Hangzhou, China, on October 22.

The song will also accompany the lowering of the flag at the closing ceremony on October 28.

“Dwiki has been the music arranger for my songs many times, and for the AsPC anthem, he immediately agreed and arranged the song without payment,” Natalia said in her statement.

Even though the song has become a new song that will also be played at the upcoming Asian Para Games and Asian Youth Para Games, Natalia admitted that she faced challenges when she started her creative process.

“When AsPC’s CEO Mr. Tarek Souei asked me to make the AsPC anthem, I was no longer able to write new songs. I made 25 songs in 2011 and hadn’t written any more songs for years since, until there was a fan meeting of K Drama Star Ji Chang Wook in Bangkok, Thailand, which changed everything,” she explained.

“Because of his golden voice and extraordinary fan meeting, I could go back to 2011 and remember the times when I wrote songs. As a result, I was able to create a new song for AsPC anthem,” she added.

She further hoped that this AsPC anthem will build unity and peace among Asian countries, both among the current and next generations. “Because this song was chosen by representatives of Asian countries,” Natalia said.

Meanwhile, AsPC’s President Majid Rashed said, “I am delighted that we have a new anthem for use in our Games. The Asian Para Games is the largest para-sport event in the world after the Paralympic Games and it is fitting therefore that it has its own anthem. It’s always emotional when the Asian Paralympic flag is raised, tomorrow will be even more so as our new anthem is played.”

Reporting by Indonesia Window