Latest news with #NationalGugakDay
Korea Herald
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Korea celebrates first National Gugak Day, with diverse festival
'Gugak is core pillar of K-culture', says Minister Yu In-chon South Korea officially marked its first-ever National Gugak Day on June 5 with a series of cultural events designed to spotlight the continued relevance of traditional Korean music. Declared by Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In-chon during a commemorative ceremony at Gyeongbokgung, the new national day aims to bridge the past and present by raising public interest in gugak and activating the gugak-centered cultural industry. 'To promote gugak, revitalize its cultural industries, and elevate public awareness, we declare June 5 as National Gugak Day,' said the minister in his speech. 'With the enactment of the Gugak Promotion Act and the inaugural celebration today, I believe we've reached a significant milestone in the history of gugak.' He continued, 'Gugak has accompanied our lives for centuries, present at every moment of joy, sorrow and celebration. It has been preserved and developed across generations, arriving here today. Its growing global popularity as a core pillar of K-culture is thanks to the dedication of those who have quietly upheld its traditions.' Yu, now serving his second term as culture minister, also took a personal moment during the ceremony, noting that this would likely be his final official appearance before stepping down following the recent change in government. 'This may be the last time I address you at an official event like this. My heart is full of gratitude and emotion,' he said. June 5 was chosen for National Gugak Day to commemorate the first official record of yeominrak, meaning 'music enjoyed by the people,' which appeared in the Annals of King Sejong on this date in 1447. The day encapsulates the ethos of shared cultural heritage and aims to invite all citizens to appreciate and participate in Korea's traditional performing arts. To mark National Gugak Day and the broader Gugak Week running from June 5 to 30, a wide array of cultural events is taking place across the country. At Gyeongbokgung Palace's Geunjeongjeon Hall, audiences can experience a commemorative performance titled "Sound of the Heavens, Music of King Sejong (Sejongjo Hoerye-yeon)," while Gwanghwamun Square hosts the Yeominrak Grand Festival, featuring street parades of traditional nongak from six different regions, special performances, and interactive activities. Beyond Seoul, performances, educational programs, hands-on workshops, academic symposia, and conferences are being organized by regional gugak centers and cultural foundations nationwide, offering opportunities for the public to engage with Korea's traditional music heritage.
Korea Herald
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Music to fill Gyeongbokgung for Gugak Week
In a sweeping celebration of sound and culture, the National Gugak Center is set to host the inaugural National Gugak Day on June 5, transforming the heart of the capital into a vibrant stage for Korea's traditional music. The newly established national commemoration aims to spotlight gugak's enduring relevance — bridging the traditional and the contemporary. The Gugak Week, a 10-day cultural festival running from June 5 to 15, will offer the public a rich array of performances, hands-on experiences, meditative programs and exhibitions. The date, June 5, was chosen to honor the historical roots of yeomin-rak (or music shared with the people in Korean), first recorded on this day during the reign of King Sejong (1397-1450). Reflecting that spirit of accessibility and inclusion, every event throughout Gugak Week will be free to the public. The festivities kick off at 4 p.m. on June 5 in Seoul's Gwanghwamun Plaza with the Yeominrak Grand Festival, a large-scale traditional parade and performance featuring folk troupes and citizens from across the country. That evening at 7:30 p.m., the National Gugak Center will stage "Yeonhui_Pan" — a special opening performance weaving together traditional and contemporary styles. Simultaneously, branches of the National Gugak Center in regional cities including Namwon, North Jeolla Province; Jindo, South Jeolla province; and Busan will host their own concerts, featuring local masters and community-based ensembles. The celebrations will continue with daily programming. At 4 p.m. each afternoon from June 6-8, the Gwanghwamun Plaza stage will feature diverse acts — from ritualistic Jindo ssitgimgut (a shamanic cleansing ceremony), to youth-led gugak performances and performances by genre-defying gugak bands. On June 7 and 8, a highlight of the week will unfold at Gyeongbokgung's Geunjeongjeon Hall, where more than 300 performers will reenact the royal banquet ceremony "Sejongjo Hoeryeyeon," meticulously reconstructed based on the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty. The grandeur of the court ceremony promises a rare glimpse into the solemn elegance of traditional state rituals, said the NGC. From June 10-12, National Gugak Center will host a rotating lineup of 100 celebrated gugak artists and three national gugak orchestras, offering a panoramic view of the music's present and its future. Beyond the stage, NGC is also inviting the public to step into the world of gugak through a series of interactive experiences, taking place from June 5-8 at Gwanghwamun Plaza. For more details, visit the official website and social media channels of the National Gugak Center.
