By Honorary Reporter Wiktoria Wardziak from Poland
Photos = Wiktoria Wardziak

A joint orchestra concert on July 1 marked the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Poland at the National Forum of Music in Wroclaw, Poland. 

Launched in 1989 and elevated to the level of a strategic partnership in 2013, bilateral ties include economic cooperation, technical exchange, trade agreements and culinary collaboration. 

The municipal philharmonic orchestras of Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do Province, and Wroclaw performed at the event led by veteran conductor Gum Nanse.

Conductor Gum Nanse speaks on stage at the National Forum of Music in Wroclaw, Poland.

The audience comprised of people from both countries was welcomed by forum director Andrzej Kosendiak and Ambassador to Poland Lim Hoon-min. The concert began with the Polish piece "Little Sunshine" conducted by Piotr Borowski with the Wroclaw orchestra.

The Seongnam orchestra was next and played for the rest of the concert with conductor Gum. One of the songs played, "Urban Arirang," is a modern take on the classic Korean folk tune featuring the haegeum (traditional two-stringed fiddle) played by Min Jio clad in Hanbok (traditional costume). I was incredibly moved as this was my first time hearing this instrument live.

The Wroclaw Philharmonic Orchestra and Seongnam Philharmonic Orchestra play together on stage.

Following the intermission, the two orchestras joined forces to perform Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. I found it both beautiful and unforgettable to see their collaboration on stage.

After hearing Gum make a speech, I found him to be a friendly and entertaining person. As the first Korean to win a prize at the now-defunct global conducting competition Herbert von Karajan Music Prize, he said he enjoyed his first visit to Poland and felt proud of 35 years of bilateral ties.

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.