Gurye Dongpyeon Sori Festival Held

Published 05 Oct.2023 13:50(KST)

‘Song of Life and Peace’ Theme, A Festival of Hope and Harmony

The "Gurye Dongpyeon Sori Festival," which combines traditional and contemporary arts, will be held for three days from October 13 to 15 under the theme "Songs of Life and Peace" at Seosicheon Sports Park and Gurye 5-Day Market area in Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do, the birthplace of Dongpyeonje.

The 2023 Gurye Dongpyeon Sori Festival is composed of various programs that maintain the identity of Dongpyeonje while promoting solidarity with the public and the community.

[Image provided by Gurye-gun]

On the first day of the festival, Friday the 13th, starting at 10 a.m. at Gurye 5-Day Market, there will be a traditional play festival including tightrope walking and street parades by the JI Art Troupe, as well as street performances such as Hwanhee by the Song Damin Illusion Troupe, Baebangi Gut by master singer Park Jeong-wook, and a fire album performance by Kim Gwan-hee.

At 7 p.m., the opening ceremony titled "Songs of Life and Peace" by the Korean Haegum Ensemble will be held on the special stage at Seosicheon Sports Park.

Especially at this year’s opening ceremony, performances by master singers Jang Moon-hee and Lee Nan-cho, as well as contemporary art fusion performances by Choi Ye-rim, the Korea National University of Arts’ Ahn Deok-gi Dance Troupe Ultimate, and the world music group Gongmyeong, are scheduled.

On the second day, Saturday the 14th, from 4 p.m., there will be Dongpyeonje pansori performances by Park Jeong-seon, Kang Min-ji, and Yang Hye-in, stages by winners of the Gurye National Gayageum Competition, and performances by Gurye-born star singer Kim San-ok. The preliminary rounds of the 27th Song Mang-gap Pansori and Gosu Competition, a gateway for talented Korean traditional music artists, will be held at Seomjin Art Hall and Gurye Culture and Arts Center.

At 7 p.m., the Young Gugak Artists & Masters Exhibition will take place on the special stage at Seosicheon Sports Park.

Visitors can enjoy performances by National Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 5 masters Choi Jandi and Kim Soo-yeon, as well as passionate performances by the young piri ensemble Hu-yo. They can also enjoy a harmonious stage uniting with the audience featuring the samulnori band Numori, Noreummachi, and the Jeonju Pansori Choir.

On the final day, Sunday the 15th, the finals and awards ceremony of the 27th Song Mang-gap Pansori and Gosu Competition will be held at Seomjin Art Hall.

This competition is hosted by the Gurye branch of the Korea Gugak Association, which continues the authenticity of pansori.

The grand prize in the pansori category is the Presidential Award with a prize of 20 million won.

The grand prize in the gosu category is the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award with a prize of 3 million won.

Choi Seong-hyun, the festival’s organizing committee chairman, said, "This year’s Gurye Dongpyeon Sori Festival will become a new art festival by fusing authentic pansori containing Gurye’s unique stories and characteristics with various contemporary arts."

Gurye County Governor Kim Soon-ho said, "I hope the Dongpyeon Sori Festival will be an event that utilizes the history and resources unique to our county to reflect on tradition and unite Gurye as one."