Eunyul Talchum Performances: Showcasing Korean Heritage and International Exchange

reply 0 hit 81 date 25-10-12 23:12

목록
- 수정
- 삭제

Eunyul Talchum (Eunyul Mask Dance) was invited to perform at the opening ceremony of the 43rd Jemulpo Arts Festival on Friday evening, October 10th, during the latter half of the long Chuseok holiday. Following our opening performance at the 43rd Korea Theater Festival Incheon in early July, the Incheon Arts and Culture Association recognized the charm of Eunyul Talchum and extended an invitation. This opening performance featured our youth class and their instructors.

This year's Chuseok holiday was particularly rainy, earning the description 'autumn monsoon.' Adding to the challenge, the on-again, off-again rain forecast turned into a heavy rain prediction specifically for October 10th (Friday). While the stage was covered with a tent, allowing the performance to proceed, the performers' waiting area and pathways were exposed to the rain, making preparations difficult.

Despite the weather, the Jemulpo Arts Festival was filled with an enthusiastic audience. Singer Park Seo-jin was scheduled to close the opening ceremony as the main act. Many of Park Seo-jin's fans lined up early to enter, wearing raincoats and enthusiastically cheering and responding to the performance. Thanks to their support, our Eunyul Talchum performance was able to proceed successfully. The stage was a bit small for the number of performers, and a 4th-grade student even fell, but they bravely recovered and finished the performance. It was a moment that was both regrettable and admirable.

I joined the talented dancers of the Eunyul Talchum Preservation Association's youth class and the instructors, contributing in a small way to create a valuable experience. The Jemulpo Arts Festival itself is renowned for its history and tradition. It was first held to commemorate the year Incheon separated from Gyeonggi Province and became Incheon Metropolitan City. It was a meaningful experience to participate in the opening ceremony of the forty-third festival at the Incheon Grand Park's Outdoor Stage in 2025.

The Eunyul Talchum Preservation Association also hosted the Kyrgyzstan Adis Ensemble at the Subong Folk Play Ground on Sunday, October 12th. Last year, the youth class of the Eunyul Talchum Preservation Association participated in a CIOFF-sponsored festival in Kyrgyzstan. The ensemble we interacted with at that time participated in the Korea Traditional Music Expo in Yeongdong, Chungbuk Province, and then visited Incheon to perform after completing their schedule.

It was a wonderful performance showcasing the traditions and sentiments of Central Asian nomads, which are rarely seen in Korea. Our youth class members also arrived early at the training hall, dressed in traditional Talchum attire, and participated in a ceremony to welcome the ensemble.

Hopefully, we will have more opportunities for the Eunyul Talchum Preservation Association to showcase our traditional national intangible heritage in Kyrgyzstan through continuous exchange. It was heartwarming to see the young students communicating and expressing their joy to each other, transcending national boundaries despite their limited English skills. After the wonderful performance, our preservation association and the ensemble exchanged gifts and greetings. I hope the Kyrgyz ensemble had a pleasant time until their departure and created good memories by visiting popular K-pop destinations.

The Eunyul Talchum Preservation Association's 2025 transmission performance will be held at the Subong Folk Play Ground on Sunday evening, October 19th. The hot summer has passed as if it never happened, and we are gradually facing chilly evenings. Please dress warmly, and we hope many people will come out for an autumn outing and watch Eunyul Talchum, our national intangible cultural heritage representing Incheon, at the foot of Mt. Subong. Admission is free!