Two Images of Two Koreas: the 2019 Spasskaya Tower Festival Welcomes Representatives of the Republic of Korea and DPR of Korea

We’ve already announced that this year the Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival will welcome among its participants the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea represented by the Military Band of the People’s Army. But the organizers haven’t revealed then that the Republic of Korea will also be present. Thus, for the first time in the history of the Spasskaya Tower Festival representatives of both Koreas will step onto the cobblestone of Red Square.

Representing the Republic of Korea, Hannuri Yeonhui Traditional Performing Arts Company will travel to Moscow to show us all the beauty of their traditional culture. The ensemble is made up of students and alumni of the Korean National University of Arts open back in 1992 in Seoul.

Headed by Kim Won Min, Hannuri Yeonhui Arts Company is engaged in preserving and continuing the legacy of Korea’s traditional music featuring Pungmul, Tal-choom, Mu-seok, Namsadang Nori and others traditions. Let’s get more detailed.

Pungmul is a centuries-old dancing and singing folk tradition performed to the sounds of drums of various sizes and shapes. It originates from traditional celebrations held in rural areas and once was used in shamanistic rituals.

Tal-choom is a mask dance accompanied by songs and dramas, delivering the wisdom of old people who overcome the tiredness of reality through dance, with masks offering freedom to anonymously express the criticisms of powerful people and releasing pent-up frustrations.

Mu-seok are traditional shamanistic rituals.

Namsadang Nori is a multifaceted folk performance originally practiced by travelling entertainers. It includes various components: acrobatics, puppet play, mask dance, tightrope walking, and pantomime. Drumming is an essential feature of all the acts. All the performers are engaged in witty exchanges with each other about the oppression of the lower classes. In 2009 Namsadang Nori was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Besides it is the base for the contemporary Namsadang theater style.

Hence, the performance prepared by the Korean artists will definitely become one of the most striking moments of the 2019 Spasskaya Tower International Military Tattoo.

For Information

Since 1998 Hannuri Yeonhui Arts Company has been engaged in promoting and expanding Korea’s traditional arts. From 1999 to 2010 the group took part in thirteen Hannuri Yeonhui Troupe Conferences held in the Republic of Korea. In 2003 it traveled to St. Petersburg to perform within the cultural exchange program. In 2005 the company was awarded the Presidential Prize of the World Samulnori Competition. In 2008 they finished fourth at the Jeonju Performing Arts Competition, one of the biggest music contests of Korea.