Official poster for World Traditional Opera Festival (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

By Koh Hyunjeong

A gala that presents traditional musical theater from Korea, China and Japan debuts in Seoul.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Sept. 3 announced that it will host the inaugural World Traditional Opera Festival jointly with the National Theater of Korea (NTOK) based on changgeuk, a traditional Korean play accompanied by pansori (traditional lyrical opera).

Under the theme "Focusing on the East," the festival runs from Sept. 3-28 at NTOK and affiliated theaters nationwide to explore global trends in performing arts centered on the potential of changgeuk.

The inaugural festival features nine main performances -- four by NTOK, three invitational works from abroad and two from Korea. Regionally linked shows will also be presented.

The lineup includes "Love in the Bamboo Grove" by China's Guangdong Opera and "Song of Yearning," a Japanese noh theater production to explore the traditional values and modern appeal of musical theater from Korea, China and Japan.

First Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Young Soo said, "We hope that this festival promotes the originality and artistic potential for Korea's changgeuk both at home and abroad and is an opportunity for changgeuk to take center stage in global performing arts."

hjkoh@korea.kr