By Honorary Reporter Eman Elashker from Egypt

Photos = Eman Elashker

On Jan. 11, I attended a concert by ANE (Artists Network Egypt), a Korea-inspired band based in Egypt. The concert, titled "Spring, Again," took place at the Cairo Opera House's small theater and celebrated the new year while bridging Korean and Egyptian cultures. The event, supported by Egypt's Ministry of Culture and the Korean Embassy, explored the theme of changing seasons and their impact on humans. The performance was divided into five parts, each featuring four artistic expressions, singing, music, the visual arts, and dance, representing the seasons, with the final part returning to spring.

The first part, representing spring, featured "A Distant Star in the Stillness" by David A. T. Onac, performed by clarinetist Mostafa Said Attia and pianist Grace Yoo. The piece was accompanied by visual art by Hyeyeon Lee. Following this, a narration of an excerpt from "Walden" by David Thoreau was presented. Throughout the concert, narrator Eunok Son, accompanied by guitarist Jinri Song, adapted the narration, music, and attire for each season to evoke its unique essence.

The second part, representing summer, opened with an operatic rendition of "Summertime" by George Gershwin, performed by Dalia Farouk and accompanied by Scottish pianist Greg Martin. This was followed by a narration from "Anne of Green Gables" by Lucy Maud Montgomery, narrated by Eunok Son. The segment concluded with a piano performance of "Hungarian Dance" by Johannes Brahms, played by Naghamaya Safwat and Grace Yoo.

The third part, representing autumn, began with a narration of an excerpt from the movie "About Time." Grace Yoo then performed "Variations on 'Arirang'" by Seung Ki Hong. Following this, violinist Youjin Huh, pianist Eunyoung Song, and clarinetist Mostafa Said Attia performed "One Fine Day in October" by Ilsang Yoon. Dancer Robear joined the musicians, adding a dynamic visual element to the performance.

The fourth part, representing winter, began with a narration of an excerpt from "The Chronicles of Narnia." Dancers Karma, Sandra, and Robear performed a modern dance, choreographed by Karma, to express the terrors of war and injustice. Their performance continued alongside the music of Youjin Huh and Eunyoung Song, who played "Winter Concerto" by Vivaldi. The segment concluded with Eunyoung Song’s solo performance of "The Howl’s Moving Castle" by Joe Hisaishi.

The fifth and final part, symbolizing the return of spring, began with a narration of an excerpt from the Korean series "The Light in Your Eyes," conveying a hopeful message. Musicians Mostafa Said Attia and Grace Yoo performed "Salut d’Amour" by Edward Elgar, followed by a duet by Dalia Farouk and Hanna Lee. The final piece, "Frontiers" by Yang Bang Ean, was performed by Naghamaya Safwat and Grace Yoo on piano.

The audience cheered for all the artists, and concert host Eunok Son took the stage to conclude the event, thanking the audience, the Korean Embassy, and everyone who contributed. The concert was a memorable occasion and marked significant progress in cultural exchange between Egypt and Korea.

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.