http://www.koreabrand.net/kr/know/know_view.do?CATE_CD=0010&SEQ=1910

http://www.koreabrand.net/kr/know/know_view.do?CATE_CD=0010&SEQ=1910

Main Events of this Month

1. The 15th Muju Firefly Festival 
http://www.firefly.or.kr 

- Period : 3 June (Fri), 2011~ 11 June (Sat)
- Place : Namdaecheon, Jinam Park, etc , Muju-gun Jeollabuk-do



2. R-16 Korea 2011 Korea Elimination (B-Boy Crew & Popping & Locking) 

http://www.r16korea.com 

The dynamic performance festival that over 300 street artists, musicians, promoters, and B-boys from all over the world will participate will give you the most enjoyable time in June. Feel their passion and the exciting performance!

- Date : 4 June(Sat) 2011
- Venue : main Theater at Uijeongbu Arts Center, Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi-do

Korea ballet, Fly high to the world!

Korea ballet, Fly high to the world!

Korean ballet is on focus nowadays. Two main ballet companies of Korea, 'Korea National Ballet (KNB)', and 'Universal Ballet (UB)', are now internationally acknowledged for their artistic latent energy, being compared to world-class ballet companies. In fact, Korea ballet was out of B30 (Ballet Ranking Top 30) ten years ago. But now its reputation has been prominently enhanced, as Korean ballet troupes are being invited to foreign countries, surely raising the pride of Korea’s dance world.

The world’s eye on Korea ballet

KNB has been leading the popularization of ballet, performing 81 times in 2009, 123 times last year throughout the country including its capital city, Seoul. Last year KNB performed in Bolshoi Theater (Bolshoi Teatr) and Mariinskii Theater (Mariinskii Teatr), creating a better reputation of Korean ballet. Recently, KNB was invited to theaters of Italy and France and currently further schedules in details are under discussion. A specific plan for a performance at San Carlo Theater (Teatro San Carlo) in Napoli, Italy will be carried out by this October. This theater is one of the most prominent theaters comparable to La Scala Theater in Milan (Teatro alla Scala di Milano) or Rome Opera House of Italy. Stressing the fact this historic stage was founded 39 years before the globally honored La Scala Theater in Milan, the invitation is much more meaningful.

KNB is also invited to 'Les etes de la danse', a dance festival held in Paris and further schedules for the 2014 performance are as well under discussion. In addition, KNB is planning to perform in Caracalla Theater (Terme di Caracalla) and Rome Opera House next year. Especially this performance will be a very historical occasion for Korea, as Italy is a birthplace of ballet, and France is meaningful home of ballet where it became an independent art genre.

UB is also planning to have a tour in 40 countries within the next 3 years. 'Shim Chung' and 'Giselle' is already scheduled to perform in 8 cities of 6 countries including Taiwan (April), Singapore (May), U.S.A. and Canada (July), Japan (September), and Oman (November) this year. Most of these concerts were attained by UB directly contacting the local theaters who happened to respond with great enthusiasm.



‘Shim Chung’ an original ballet of Universal Ballet staged in Taipei, Taiwan

  

Last year UB staged an original ballet ‘Shim Chung’ in Taipei. The 1,500 seats of the National Theater of Taiwan were full with audiences and after the performance enthusiastic response and applause has continued for over ten minutes; there were some people who did not leave the hall even after the three curtain calls, proving how successful the show was. Not actually the Western ballet but the music, costumes, and stage effects that well featured Korean characteristic was what captured the eyes of the Taiwanese audiences. It is worth to note that the National Theater of Taiwan is very selective about the quality of the performance to put on stage while little chances are open to foreign organizations. The fact UB of Korea has won such opportunity, especially with sponsored stage facilities charges and stay expenses, indicates the notably enhanced reputation of Korean ballet.

The rise of Korean ballet masterpieces

With many rising young talented ballet dancers, the future of Korean ballet is more than positive. The number of ballet audiences is growing as well as that of ballet lovers who search for shows of their favorite dancer to send wholehearted support. Korean ballet companies are now being invited to renowned ballet theater overseas. What has made such transition?

First, Korean ballet companies who has been collaborating with foreign staffs now are being recognized for their talent. ‘Giselle’ recently staged by KNB was possible with the positive feedbacks of the foreign staffs who worked with the troupes in Korea before. Such feedbacks shared with other professionals in the overseas dance field led opportunities for Korean ballet troupes to prove their talent and stage performances in front of the world audience. 

Besides, Korean ballet dancers who successively take main roles on international ballet stages, join world-class ballet companies and win international ballet competition awards has been another significant factor that helped Korean ballet to win favorable attention from the world. Now these dancers from Korea have good physique as a ballet dancer equivalent to fellow Westerners and exceptional talent receiving great compliments. Hyo-Jung Kang, who studied in Sunhwa arts school of Korea and now a ballet soloist of Stuttgart Ballet, Germany has been selected to take the Juliet role of ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Sang-Eun Lee, former member of UB and who recently joined Dresden Semperoper Ballet has won a role of La bayadere. These young dancers, both having experiences performing classic and modern repertories, have proved the high standard of Korean ballet with skills and physique comparable to any other world dancers. Even in Russia, a ballet power, Korean dancers are taking their roles and joining classic programs such as ‘Swan Lake’ of ‘Romeo and Juliet’.  



‘Prince HoDong’ an original ballet of Korea National Ballet

The high standard quality of Korean ballet programs is one other contribution. Korean ballet companies are creating and staging original ballet performance such as ‘Prine HoDong’ or ‘Sim Chung’ that features the aesthetic of Korea, while foreign choreographers has been invited to teach ballet techniques upgrading the skills of Korean ballet dancers. The beautiful combination of traditional Korean melody and classic ballet movements are what captures the eyes and hearts of foreign audiences. The powerful and futuristic Korea ballet performance was enough to give a strong impression to the overseas audience of e.g. Poland and Russia; it was no doubt ballet, a Western dance genre, but beautifully performed by dancers from the Eastern land, Korea.

From ballet to classic art

Since the new millennium, the reputation and fame of Korean ballet has been remarkably enhanced, thanks to frequent exchanges with foreign ballet troupes and performing arts professionals.

Yet it is true in Korea, classic art including ballet has been still trapped in the image of an aristocratic art genre. Even in contemporary times with its long tradition and expensive ticket prices it has been considered as a culture to be enjoyed by the privileged. Also the exclusiveness of ballet is a problem to solve. In Korea, people still think of romantic ballet or classic ballet as its typical type, which in fact consists of most of all performances that are shown on stage these days. In overseas, the percentage of classic and contemporary ballet is half and half. Korea should now put more effort to promote contemporary ballet and overcome the stereotypical image of the genre so that more people can enjoy ballet as a popular cultural activity.

A national prestige cannot be mentioned without its cultural status. With continuous efforts of performing arts professionals to promote classical art besides ballet supported with interests of the general public, we can expect a brighter future of Korean ballet glittering on world stage.

Gochang appeared in Mischelin guide!

Gochang appeared in Mischelin guide!

 guide>  (Source: Joongang Ilbo)

Have you heard the Mischelin guide? It is the most well known guidebook which is published by Tire company Mischelin in 1900. Actually the Mischelin is the renowned magazine that grades restaurants, which of the grading system is called 'Red Guide'. It hasn't been a long since it adopted the 'Green Guide' system which now grades the tourists' attraction. Well, it became sensational that Mischelin Co. will publish a 450 page of 'Mischelin guide-Green'.

The number of places in Korea mentioned in Mischelin guide are 23. There, we can find a rather unexpected name among other familia names, Dolmen Museum, which is located in Gochang, Jeollabuk-do. There are few people know where the Dolmen museum is actually located. In addition, not many people know that the dolmen is such an attractive place to visit. Isn't it good enough to visit this place? You will be surprised to know that it recorded the highest score, three stars. Gochang has the old heritage but it doesn't mean that it stuck in the past. Let's travel to Gochang.

Gochang Dolmen Museum

   

(Source : Korea Tourism Organization)

Dolmen is more than an tomb in the dim past. But before we begin, we need to learn the history of dolmen.

It first appeared at around the time when the Stone Age was shifting to the Bronze Age. Various tools and weapons used to be made of stone before the era, however, the number of people who got an access to bronze and copper increased, they became more powerful than the others who didn't have those tools. As the bronze and copper enabled them to have power to control the others, the concept of hierarchy, ruler, state were born in their society.

Dolmen was made to visualize the death of rulers. Goindol, Korean name of Dolmen, was originated from the word 'Goida' that means 'support(something heavy on it)'.

In December 2000, Gochang Dolmen was listed in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage. Since then, as part of an effort to preserve and maintain the dolmens, the government built the dolmen park and museum. You can't have the experience anywhere else but in Gochang.

There are so many attractions in the Dolmen museum. Dolmen museum provides not only an overall introduction of dolmen, but also the glimpse of the life of those days. You'll see the old ancestors' life in the hut, and also learn how they buried the dead, how they cremated, and how dolmen was created. There are the prehistoric village, yard and dolmen model for experience next to the museum. You can try dragging a real size stone for building up the dolmen, putting the logs on the bottom.

It is 30 minutes distance between the museum and the dolmen sites. You can take a sightseeing train if you want. There are 30,000 dolmens in Korea and 2,000, which is 10% of the total number, are in Gochang. When you stand up on the dolmen field, you'll be amazed at their existence over 3,000 years.

A beautiful temple of Goryeo dynasty, Seonun Temple and Dosolam

   

 (Source : Korea Tourism Organization) 

There is a poetry 'Seonun-sa(temple) East' written by Seo Jeong-ju born in Gochang. Here is his poetry.

"I went to see camellia of Seonun-sa but it was too early to see. I just saw camellia of last year that remained in the song by the bar hostess in her Yukjabaegi rhythm" He wrote it with sorrow for unseen camellia. There is a song 'Seonun-sa' sung by Song Chang-sik. He praised the beauty of camellia. Like this, Seonun-sa is a beautiful but hidden attraction of Gochang.

As it appeared in literature and songs, Seonun temple has a unique beauty with beautiful nature. In particular, Seonun temple is famous for the beauty of camellias. Camellia wasn't planted for beauty, but for preventing the temple from fire. But they soon reached up to 2000 and have changed the forest into a beautiful hills. The Camellia forest represents the beauty of Seonun temple which is filled with red flowers in spring.

In addition, the scenery of the temple including the main building and Sumakjae will make you feel good, even carrying the scent of the temple. Also temple bell is enlisted as tangible cultural heritage of Chungcheonbuk-do. When you go up for half an hour after looking around Seonuntemple, you will meet the magnificent beaut, Dosol-am. There you will understand why ancestors considered Mt. Seonun as another Mt. Geumgang, which is the most beautiful mountains in Korea. You will be fascinated at its rocks and trees. Do not miss the landscape in summe as well!

                    

(Source: Yonhap News)

Maaebul, a carved buddha in mountain rocks, is the finest in Dosol-am enlisted as a national treasure No. 1200. It is overwhelming to see it which is embossed and engraved in harmony. 15.6 meters high and 8.48 meters wide of massive Maaebul is one of three carved buddha in size in Korea. There is a shrine in the pit of its stomach. In general, a shrine is used to store buddha statue or holy things. However, people believed that there was a secret book telling the kingdom's destiny in shrine. One day, an officer of Dong-hak, Son Wha-jung took it out. We still don't know whereabouts. It would be quite interesting to see Maaebul, imagining the event. After looking around Dosol-am, you will see a 600 year old pine tree which is a natural heritage No. 354. This is the end of journey to Seonun temple. There is a saying that there could be someone who has never been to Seonun temple, but no one visits only once, which means you would come again anyway.

Living together with past and present. Gochang's fortress and festival

   

(Source:: Korea Tourism Organization)

Did you know three old fortresses in Korea? Haemi- fortress, Nakan- fortress, Gochang- fortress. Haemi- fortess is well-known for history that many christians sacrificed their life.Nakan- fortress is well known for cool staying over place. However Gochang gives you a different image from the history. Actually, Gochang fortress was built by commoners to defend Korea from Japan. After the era, Gochang fortress was abandoned so many years but fortunately restored in 1976.

  

When it was repaired, the stone from nature was used in order to bring in the nature itself. It's not completely restored but a guest house, jail and several buildings were built, which is quite breezing to travellers' mind.

When you walk along fortress of the Mt. Seonun, you will feel the fragrance of mountains and the magnificent huge landscape of mountains.

There are some nice roads. We can enjoy flowers and trees such as pine trees and bamboo trees. Gochang has a festival every year. Gochang has a big festival of Bokbunja in June. It also has a big festival of Watermelon in July. There is a saying that if you have Gochang- watermelon, you can't try any watermelon. Gochang watermelon is better than any others. Why don't you come over to the festival?

Gochang the 'hometown of nature, culture and happiness' where history stays alive

'Home town of nature, culture and happiness' is the slogan of Gochang. You will finally understand why the Michelin Guide included the dolmens of the Bronze Age, and the Seonun temple and Dosolam of Buddhism culture in the Goryeo dynasty.

Indulging in a variety of attractions of the Joseon Dynasty of Gochang is attraction itself. Gochang has the history and big event everyday. From the prehistoric Dolmen to modern day festival, Gochang has so many attractions.