SEOUL – North Korea has announced plans to host an international arts festival next month in commemoration of the 112th birth anniversary of the country's late founder, Kim Il-sung. This event is part of the nation's celebrations of the birthdays of its late leaders, which include Kim Il-sung and his son Kim Jong-il, regarded as some of North Korea's most significant holidays.
According to Yonhap News Agency, overseas troupes have already submitted videos of their prerecorded performances for the festival. These submissions will be edited for television and online broadcasting, allowing for international participation despite the ongoing global challenges posed by COVID-19. The celebration marks a continued tradition of honoring the late founder, although the festival was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic and was held virtually in 2022.
Notably, North Korea has not yet officially confirmed or designated the birthday of the current leader, Kim Jong-un, presumed to be January 8, 1984, as a national holiday. The decision to proceed with this year's arts festival underscores the importance of cultural events in North Korea's national identity and the regime's ongoing efforts to maintain continuity with its historical narratives.