Chungbuk Yeongdong and Artistic Director Kim Chang-hwan to receive ministerial commendation; Korean traditional music week events from May 5-14

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on the 4th that it will hold the '2nd Day of Korean Traditional Music' commemorative ceremony at the Yeakdang Hall of the National Gugak Center in Seoul on the 5th.

The Day of Korean Traditional Music is a commemorative day that celebrates the day 'Yeominrak' (與民樂), meaning 'enjoying with the people,' was first recorded in the Sejong Annals. At the ceremony, which will be broadcast live through Gugak Broadcasting, Chungbuk Yeongdong and Kim Chang-hwan, artistic director of the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Gugak Orchestra, will receive commendations from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism for their contributions to the promotion of regional Korean traditional music.

Congratulatory performances will also be held at the ceremony, including the National Dance Company of Korea's 'Gomuak' performance, and 'Our Korea That We Want' by the Gyeonggi Sori Orchestra, singer Park Aeri, and the Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education Korean Traditional Music Choir.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has also designated May 5th to 14th as 'Korean Traditional Music Week' and will hold various events nationwide for the public to enjoy Korean traditional music together.

At Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square on the 5th, a joint street performance and go-sssaum reenactment involving about 800 participants will be held. From the 5th to the 6th, 'Donhwamun Gugak Week,' which explores the aesthetics of Korean traditional music, will take place at the Seoul Donhwamun Gugakdang.

Additionally, the 'Korea Traditional Performing Arts Festival' will be held from the 8th to the 11th on the outdoor stage at Seoul Forest. From the 11th to the 12th, 'King's Altar, People's Stage,' consisting of 'Jongmyo Jeryeak' and 'Sajik Jeryeak,' will be performed at the National Gugak Center's Yeakdang Hall. Furthermore, about 50 performances, educational programs, and commemorative events will be held in various regions across the country, including Incheon, Sejong, Gwangju, and Busan.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young said, "Through the 'Day of Korean Traditional Music,' we will reaffirm the value of 'Yeominrak,' which means 'all the people enjoy our music together,' and we will spare no policy support to ensure that Korean traditional music becomes more deeply ingrained in the daily lives of our citizens."

More detailed information can be found on the website of the Foundation for the Promotion of Traditional Performing Arts (www.kotpa.org).