Korean Busan National Gugak Center performance dazzles Egyptians

CAIRO – 30 April 2018: The Korean Cultural Center on Sunday, April 22, held a dance performance at the Cairo Opera House, which served to entertain and educate Egyptian audiences about the wonders of the Korean culture.

Cairo's South Korean Ambassador Yoon Yeocheol held an opening speech for the event wherein he remarked that the performances were a way of blending the modern world with Korea's most ancient and fantastic traditions, which reflected Korea's interest in combining the old with the new to create something unique. His speech also stated that more future performances from the Korean Cultural Center were planned, along with an introduction of Egyptian traditions to the Korean people as well, according to Ahram Online.

The troupe was founded back in 2008 with the aim of introducing the wonders of Korean culture to other nations across the world, and within Korea itself.

Amongst the performances, the National Gugak Center Troupe presented various Korean Folk songs and other traditional music, including examples of Korea's rich cultural traditions such as Samul Nori; a genre of unique percussion music which is performed using four traditional Korean instruments, hence the title being translated as "Four Objects Play", folk songs hailing from the Kyonggi province, Jinsoe Dances and the Fan Dance also known as "Buchaechum", an elegant and graceful performance which usually features female dances wearing large, bright pink dresses, while they use their large pink fans to imitate marvelous shapes such as butterflies, waves and flowers.

The distinct beauty of this dance has made it a popular tradition used amongst Korean ambassadors to introduce their nation, as its appeal transcends any cultural barriers.

A second performance was held at the Sayed Darwish Theatre on Tuesday, April 24.