The DMZ Peace Arts Festival was opened on Sept. 21 for a 40-day run at the park Imjingak in Paju, Gyeonggi-do Province, according to the provincial government.
The festival is part of the bigger event “Let’s DMZ,” which promotes the ecological, peace, historical and artistic value of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which separates the Korean Peninsula. “Let’s DMZ” features events such as “DMZ Concert,” “DMZ Art Project” and “From DMZ to You.”
The opening performance features the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London and its Permanent Associate Conductor Grzegorz Nowak and Ukrainian pianist Anna Fedorova, the Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra and a provincial choir who will play classical music for peace.
“Picnic Concert” slated for Sept. 25, 30 and Oct. 1-2 will see Korean singers en masse sing for peace.
To run through Oct. 30, the DMZ Art Project features sculptures, installation, video, media and architectural works by 16 artists from 32 teams hailing from both home and abroad under the theme “Peaceful Coexistence Zone.”
Also on display is Patrick Shearn’s “Visions in Motion,” a large-scale public artwork to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Berlin Wall’s collapse. Visitors can write messages of peace and wishes on ribbons and hang them on the work.
Residents of Gyeonggi-do Province have arranged other events during the festival period. “DMZ Camping” allows participants to tour the town in and around the DMZ and taste North Korean cuisine, while children can learn the importance of ecology at an interactive environmental arts program.
“DMZ Run,” a sports event that is part of Let’s DMZ, will also be opened next month, comprising “DMZ Peace Maraton” (Sept. 2), “DMZ Peace Bicycle” (Sept. 15) and “DMZ Peace Walking” (Sept. 29).
More information is available on the festival’s official website: https://letsdmz.ggcf.kr
Source: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism