Photo: Courtesy of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the UAE
A celebration of Korean culture with an emphasis on sustainability is headed to Abu Dhabi later this week – the Korea Festival 2023. According to the Korean embassy and the Korean Cultural Center, the two-day affair will be held at Umm Al Emarat Park from October 27 to 28.
The annual event which first began in 2013, is set to captivate visitors with dynamic performances drawing upon both the past and present of South Korea. This blend of modern popular culture and ancient traditions will also pay homage to the importance of sustainability in preserving cultural heritage under the theme ‘Sustainable Culture: Flowing into the Future.’
Yong Hee Lee, the cultural attaché of the Korean Embassy, emphasized the significance of sustainability as the UAE hosts COP28, acknowledging the UAE government’s dedication to preserving its cultural heritage. The Korea Festival 2023 has been thoughtfully curated to introduce performances that revitalize traditional Korean dance and music, seamlessly fusing them with contemporary expression.
Photo: Courtesy of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the UAE
On the first day, attendees can expect to be dazzled by an exciting lineup of performances. ‘K-maestro’ by the National Gugak Center will showcase traditional music and crafts with performances, exhibitions, and Pansori and Sanjo performances. This exploration of Korean sounds and rhythm will be followed by the ‘Mut and Sinmeong: Elegance and the Divine Spirit’ by the Namwon City Art Troupe – a showcase highlighting three traditional performances; Heungtaryeong, Taepyeongmu, and Samulnori. The day will come to an end on a high note with an adrenaline-pumping performance by K-pop sensation DIOS.
The excitement continues on the second day with ‘K-Music Soul’, a folk music ensemble by the Chungbuk Cultural Foundation combining traditional Korean and Western instruments. However, the highlight of the evening and perhaps the entire festival will be a K-Pop concert titled ‘KITE: K-POP in the Emirates’. Jointly organized by the Korea Creative Content Agency and the Korean Cultural Center the concert will feature a collaboration between MustB and DIOS.
