Korean Folk Art Festival marks 60th anniversary

Sep 16, 2019

From left, Lee Seok-kyu, a member of the Korean Traditional Performing Arts Foundation; Korean Folk Art Festival committee member Kim Heon-seon; and artists Park Min-hee and Lee Na-rae attend a press conference at The Plaza Seoul hotel, Sept. 5.

Anyone who's interested in taking a glimpse into Korean traditional folk arts, performances and games, such as mask dances and percussion music, shouldn't miss the three-day open-air performances to be held in October during the Korean Folk Art Festival at the Central Square in Jamsil Sports Complex.

Launched in 1958, the country's largest annual folk art festival has continued for six decades. During the first two days, 1,700 artists from 21 folk groups nationwide will perform from 10 a.m. to nearly 9 p.m., presenting various types of traditional arts from music to dance. On the last day, Oct. 4, the performances will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. On the sidelines of the annual event, the National Teenager Folk Art Festival will also be held the same day and award the best performers.

Performers present an excerpt from the 'Bukcheong Lion Dance Drama' during a press conference at The Plaza Seoul hotel, Sept. 5.

During a press conference held earlier this month, Kim Heon-seon a member of the Korean Folk Art Festival committee stressed that the annual festivity has enriched the nation's traditional folk arts for the last 60 years.

"The folk art festival has reached its 60th anniversary this year. For any event, the 60th birthday always carries a significant importance in East Asian tradition. Since the festival's birth in 1958, the festival has laid the foundation for the enactment of Korea's Cultural Heritage Protection Act. In an effort to maintain and preserve Korea's ancestral culture for new generations, the National Teenager Folk Art Festival was started alongside the festival in 1994," Kim said.

"During the six decades of the festival, we have registered hundreds of cultural traditions ― 37 of them have been designated as national intangible cultural assets, over 100 of them as intangible cultural properties by local municipals, and 12 of them have become listed in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage."

Special projects are slated for the 60th installment, including the filming of a documentary to better preserve Korea's ages-old traditions.

"Koreans seem to care less and less about traditional folk art genres. We hope this 60th event can serve as a watershed moment in the continual development of our traditions. When we look back to many decades ago, these annual festivities were broadcast live by major networks, but they don't get such national attention anymore. The situation has become dire for traditional art performers, and we need to care to preserve this vital tradition of our ancestors. Part of K-pop group BTS' dance moves were inspired by traditional Korean dances. I hope Koreans will care more about the roots of our culture," Kim emphasized.

Artists Park Min-hee, left, and Lee Na-rae, center, showcase part of their performance during a press conference at The Plaza Seoul hotel, Sept. 5.

Besides hosting and organizing the Korean Folk Art Festival, the Korean Traditional Performing Arts Foundation also promotes young traditional art performers to create more original pieces. Dubbed the "Art Spot Series," the program will provide a chance for up-and-coming artists to showcase their creations at an art gallery this autumn. Korea's traditional arts, ranging from royal court music to pansori singing and traditional dances, will be performed against the backdrop of contemporary art galleries.

An official poster image for the Art Spot Series.

Kim Sung-min, head of the foundation's performance planning team, explained that such opportunities could provide growth momentum for young artists.

"Now is a time for fusion and harmony among various art genres. We hope this kind of performance that blends art genres could provide opportunities for artists to move forward in the next phase of their creations. We particularly care that these performances do not end as one-offs, but lead to continual stimulation that could contribute to their other original pieces," Kim said.

The project started Sept. 15 at the Nam June Paik Art Center, and the remaining performances will be held at Suwon IPark Museum of Art at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Oct. 5, and at the Youngeun Museum at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Oct. 26.

"It is not often that traditional Korean art performers are given the chance to participate in this type of collaboration that can be original and very free. I feel grateful to be able to participate in this project that puts particular emphasis on the process of cooperation among artists," traditional vocal music "jeongga" artist Park Min-hee said during the press conference