Traditional Culture and Festivities of Nackdong River Region To be Performed

During July, a river flows at the `Square of Stone` in Seoul Arts Center every Sunday evening.

Following 1998’s Seomjin River and Youngsan River, 1999’s Han River, and last year’s Kum River, Nackdong River is this year’s featured theme to reproduce the traditional culture and performing arts of Youngnam region. It is a continuation of the series of `Soul and Arts of the Rivers of Korea` that began 1998.

The `Nol-E`, which will be staged on the first day of the series, July, 1st, will put on the stage the Tongyung Okwangdae Nol-E, one of the Korea’s major intangible cultural assets, and Milyang Buphungsangwon Nol-E, an intangible cultural asset of South Kyungsang Province. The Tongyung Okwangdae Nol-E is one of representative masques of Southern part of Korea. The name `Okwangdae Nol-E` derived from its meaning in which ancient people worship Obangsinjang (ghosts of five different directions).

The Milyang Buphungsangwon Nol-E is a gala in which all residents of a village gather in front of the Dangsan Tree (guardian tree of the village), singing and dancing to wish for their peace and rich harvest.

On 8th, Suyoungyaryu, a major intangible cultural asset, Yecheon Tongmyungnongyo, and Nalmoe Drum Dance, a intangible cultural asset of Daegu City, will be performed. After taking one week break, the major intangible cultural asset Hahoe Beolsingut Masque will be on stage, and the Ansan Civic Traditional Orchestra (conductor Lee Sanggyun) will play the `Sound and Melody of Nackdong River` on 22nd. They will perform an arranged version of the traditional melodies from the Nackdong River region.

An official of the center said that the performances are audience-friendly stage on which the audiences can all participate, rather than just seating and watching. Enjoying a summer evening with cool breeze, the audiences can feel the merry mood of our traditional melodies and festivities. Detailed explanation for first-timers and foreign language version brochures will also be provided.

Open : 5 pm. Entrance fee : free. 02-580-1300

Yoo Yoon-Jong gustav@donga.com