Arts Council Supports Performing Artists Participating in Mexico Cervantino Festival

The Korea Arts & Culture Education Service supports Korean performing artists participating in the Cervantino Festival in Mexico.

The 51st Cervantino Festival. Invited presenters and artist talk.
[Photo by Korea Arts & Culture Education Service]

On the 4th, the Arts Council announced that it will launch a new project to support Korean performing artists' participation in festival and tour performances in collaboration with the Cervantino International Festival Organizing Committee in Mexico.

Applicants can apply through the National Culture and Arts Support System (NCAS) from the 5th until 6 p.m. on the 31st. The Cervantino Festival Organizing Committee will conduct the screening directly.

The Arts Council will hold an online project briefing session via Zoom at 3 p.m. on the 10th to provide detailed guidance on the project direction, support contents, and application precautions. Access information will be sent individually only to those who register in advance.

The Cervantino Festival, which began in 1972, has established itself as the largest comprehensive arts festival in Latin America. It originated from a commemorative performance of Spanish playwright Miguel de Cervantes by university students in Guanajuato, Mexico, in 1953, and is held annually in October in Guanajuato.

The festival is hosted by the Mexican government, the Guanajuato state government, the Korea Arts & Culture Education Service, and the organizing committee, with about 2,000 artists from approximately 30 countries worldwide participating. On average, about 400,000 spectators attend the festival.

The Arts Council plans to dispatch performing arts groups annually in cooperation with the festival organizing committee. It will provide focused support to enable participation in workshops, artist talks, meetings with multinational presenters, centering on festival and tour performances. Detailed information can be found on the Arts Council’s website.

Jung Byung-guk, Chairman of the Arts Council, stated, "As interest in Korean culture is increasing in the Latin American region, we hope this project will expand the network of Korean performing artists in Mexico and Latin America."

The Arts Council continues to promote 'designated cooperation projects,' which are agreements with overseas cultural and artistic institutions to stably support artists. This year, it collaborates with about 20 hubs such as festivals and major events to provide opportunities to strengthen artists' creative capabilities and expand international network foundations.