By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter
Synchronised and well-executed Korean dance performances enthralled the crowd during the launching of the Korean Cultural Week at Katara - the Cultural Village, last night.
The elegant movement of the hands and feet tells a story about the country’s rich history and unique heritage. “These traditional dances are original and authentic,” said Korean Ambassador Keejung Chung, who also led the opening of the art exhibition at Building No 19.
Performers from the National Gugak Center (formerly known as the National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts) featured folklore dance such as Taepyeongmu which was created during the Japanese colonial period. Another is the Dongnae Hakchum, known as a crane dance, which originated from one Korean province. Elite scholars often perform this kind of dance to show their skills “throughout refinement and curved lines of Hakchum.”
The audience were also impressed with the Buchaechum, a fan dance widely popular since it is one of Korea’s representative dances. Many of those who have watched this responded with much appreciation not only with the colourful traditional gowns but most of all, the elegant movements of each female performer. With the accompaniment of a folksong, this dance comes lively with fans made of flower prints and feathers on the rim. Its technique and charm portray a very appealing display of natural beauty.
“The show is very marvellous. It is very dynamic, colourful and powerful. It reflects the history and rich culture of Korea,” said Thai vice consul Ekaphat Premyodhin. “Our embassy staff attended both cultural show and photo exhibition and we were really impressed from what we have seen,” he added.
Thai ambassador Panyarak Poolthup, Indonesian ambassador Deddy Saiful Hadi and some other diplomats also attended the two events. The Thai embassy also hosted a similar cultural show recently, bringing Thai performers to Katara. Other traditional performances which received loud applauses from the audience included Jindo Bukchum (drum dance), Sarangga (joy and love) and Sogochum (percussion centered), a dance with highly advanced techniques and localised rhythms. About the photos expo, Chung said the photographs exhibited in Building No 19 were winning entries from a contest organised by the Korean Tourism Organisation (KTO), a special agency which takes care of promoting the country. Every year, KTO holds photo competitions and collects all the best pictures and use them for promotion through national and international exhibitions.
Some of the photos exhibited at Katara were taken from top tourism destinations in Korea like Jeju island, Incheon and Seoul. It shows the beauty and the scenic places, as well as the artistically built structures of Korea. Some 25 photographs were exhibited in Building 19 while 18 more were in Opera house where the cultural show was held.
Hadi told Gulf Times that he once visited Korea in 1996 and was impressed by the country’s landscapes and its people. “I remember going to Jeju island, a very nice place. I went there for a week with 15 other people visiting some of the top companies like Samsung,” he said.
He also recounted watching and listening to a Korean performer who sang a very sad song and “you know the lady was really crying.” “That’s how passionate they are.”
