Korea-Arab Friendship Caravan opens
KUWAIT CITY, Oct 24: Traditional cultural performance groups contribute to efforts to strengthen international relations between nations as they play an important role in cultural exchange, while providing a golden opportunity for anyone with passion to closely view the performing culture of countries that are thousands of miles away.
This is one of the main roles played by the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) by organizing various festivals and in hosting cultural groups from different parts of the world to highlight the importance of art in the meeting of civilizations.
Last Saturday, the council, in conjunction with Embassy of the Republic of Korea, organized the Ninth Korea-Arab Friendship Caravan at Abdulhussain Abdulredha Theater in Salmiya.
The event showcased the Korean traditional dance performed by Gyeonggi Provincial Dance Company, attracting a huge crowd of various nationalities. Gyeonnggi Provincial Dance Company was founded in 1993 to develop excellence and originality of Korean traditional dances and to promote them overseas.
Under its art director — Kim Junghak, the company have more than 150 performances per year, domestic and abroad, including the Arab world, Australia, Canada, China, Japan Mexico, Spain, UK and USA with the aim of developing traditional choreography and creating unique contemporary dance routines. Some of the dances performed at the event were:
Samulnori (Ensemble of Four Percussions) — a very dynamic musical piece played by four kinds of percussions, drums and Korean traditional gongs named as Kkwaenggrwari and Jing.
Buchae-Chum (Fan Dance) — the most representative of Korean dances, Buchae-chum involves a group of dancers who create beautiful choreography with hand-held flower fans.
Jindo Buk-Chum (Jindo Drum Dance) — is originally part of a drum dance in Jindo Province. Unlike other regions in Korea, Jindo Province uses both sides of the drum, which enhances the effect of expressing delicate melodies and rhythms, among other traditional dances.