Courtesy of NGC
In a cultural milestone, the traditional Korean court music, Jongmyo Jeryeak, dating back over six centuries, is set to captivate audiences in Central Europe for the first time. The National Gugak Center, a prominent institution promoting traditional Korean music, will introduce this ritualistic music, performed at Jongmyo, the royal shrine of the 1392-1910 Joseon Kingdom, at the Erkel Theatre in Budapest, Hungary, on September 21 and the Warsaw Philharmonic Hall in Warsaw, Poland, on September 25.
These events will not only showcase a full-length performance of Jongmyo Jeryeak but will also feature special lectures, costume demonstrations, and exhibitions, enhancing the audience's understanding of this historical art form. This initiative marks a significant cultural outreach to Eastern Europe, representing a unique opportunity to promote traditional Korean music in a region where it hasn't been featured before.
The performances aim to establish a cultural bridge for promoting traditional Korean music, complementing the existing growth in cooperation in the fields of economy and security. Kim Young-woon, director general of the center, expressed enthusiasm about this tour and its potential to resonate deeply with audiences in Central Europe.
"We are pleased to be able to present Jongmyo Jeryeak, our representative intangible cultural heritage, in historic theaters in Hungary and Poland. We hope that the perfect harmony created by the music, songs, and dances that have been performed for more than 600 years will resonate deeply in the hearts of local audiences," Kim said in a statement.
In Hungary, the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) has invited the National Gugak Center to present Jongmyo Jeryeak as the centerpiece of its Korean Cultural Festival. The gugak center will also engage with students at the KCC, conducting lectures and donating traditional Korean instruments.
Similarly, in Poland, the performance, co-hosted by the KCC in Warsaw and the National Gugak Center, has been included in the Warsaw Philharmonic Hall's seasonal program. The tour will be documented in a special film, capturing the entire process from preparation to performance and the reactions of local audiences. Following the European tour, the Jongmyo Jeryeak performance will conclude with a final event in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, on November 11.
Sayart.net
Sayart, sayart2022@gmail.com
