June 5 from this year is officially National Gugak (Traditional Music) Day. Shown is a performance of the monthly concert series "Dadam" on April 30 at the hall Umyeondang of the National Gugak Center in Seoul's Seocho-gu District. (Lee Jeongwoo)
By Margareth Theresia
June 5 has been officially designated National Gugak (Traditional Music) Day.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on June 4 said it launched the commemorative day this year and will host National Gugak Week through June 30 to mark the occasion. The purpose is to lay the foundation for the preservation and promotion of gugak following the enactment of the Gugak Promotion Act.
National Gugak Day was designated on June 5 to reflect the historical meaning of the first record of the genre as Yeomillak written in the Sejong Silok (Veritable Records of King Sejong) back in 1447 in the 29th year of King Sejong the Great's reign. Yeomillak is a leading form of royal court music whose name literally means "enjoyment with the people."
Gugak concerts and events on June 5 will be held at Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul, the courtyard of Heungnyemun Gate and Geunjeongjeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace. A ceremony to mark the inaugural National Gugak Day will be held at the outdoor plaza of Heungnyemun featuring key figures in the genre.
During National Gugak Week, Seoul and the rest of the country will host related events. For example, Geunjeongjeon from June 7-8 will host the performance "Sejongjo Hoeryeyeon," or a reenactment of the annual rituals and music of the Joseon Dynasty.
At Gwanghwamun Square, the Yeomillak Grand Festival from June 5-8 will feature nongaknori (farmers' percussion music) and regional gilnori (traditional street performances) parades and interactive gugak programs.
More information on the schedules for National Gugak Day and its commemorative week is available on the event's official website (academy.gugak.go.kr/gugakweek).
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In Chon said, "Through National Gugak Day, we hope to shed new light on the meaning and value of gugak not only for the gugak community but also for the public who loves the genre to promote their interest in the preservation, promotion and expansion of the foundation for gugak."
margareth@korea.kr
