34th Geochang International Theater Festival to Open on July 26

The Resonance of Classics, the Message of Change

The Geochang Foundation for Arts and Culture in Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do announced on the 24th that the 34th Geochang International Theatre Festival will be held for 15 days from July 26 to August 9.

This year's International Theatre Festival is themed with the slogan "The resonance of classics, the message of change," and features the design of "Crape Myrtle Blossoming at Suseungdae Guyeon Seowon" on its main poster to match the concept.

The foundation held an open call for participating groups for the Geochang International Theatre Festival from mid-February to mid-March, receiving proposals from 137 domestic and international performance groups. A total of 51 groups from seven countries, including Korea, were selected as final participants, and a total of 76 performances are scheduled to take place.

Geochang County 34th International Theater Festival Poster

Notably, this year’s international participants include traditional mime artists from Germany and Poland, the Belgian theatre troupe Skagen, as well as groups from France, the Netherlands, and China?six groups from six countries in total?joining domestic troupes to present high-quality performances throughout the festival.

The grand opening and closing performances of the Geochang International Theatre Festival will take place on a specially constructed stage at the Suseungdae Snow Sledding Site.

The opening performance, "Womanhood: Misunderstanding Medea," is a fusion performance that modernizes the essence of the classics. By attempting to transform the "misunderstanding" of the infamous Medea into "understanding," the work aims to present a more human side of Medea.

The closing performance will be a spectacular musical gala show featuring popular musical actors such as Tei, Jung Suna, and Park Soyeon, choreography by the De Pass team, and a live band.

The sledding theater, which will host the opening performance, will continue to serve as the outdoor stage for official invited performances throughout the festival period.

Noteworthy productions this year include: "Our Classroom" by the youth troupe Cheongchun Owaldang, which won Best Play at the 2nd Seoul Arts Awards; "Je_Burning Life" by 99 Art Company, winner of Best Dance at the same awards; "Do Not Tease Recklessly" by Geukdan Miso, which won the Gold Prize at the Gyeongnam Theatre Festival; "Ssgaji Heungbujeon," featuring Korea’s top Madangnori (traditional outdoor play) expert Yoon Moonsik; and "Pan Yeoneun Sori" by the Yeongnam Seongju Gut Sound Preservation Association.

Returning for a second year, legendary mime artist Bodde Ker & Neander from Germany?disciples of Marcel Marceau and successors of his tradition?will present "Silence." Poland’s MIMO Mime Team will perform "Comedian," standing shoulder to shoulder with Ker & Neander. Belgian star Valentine Demens will showcase his one-man, 13-role masterpiece "Van Family," acclaimed as his greatest work. These world-class performances will have their Korean premieres at the festival.

This year, special attention has been paid to the unique features of each outdoor venue, with a diverse array of genres?drama, dance, mime, and traditional performances?offering audiences both entertainment and inspiration.

In addition to theater, the festival grounds will feature a lantern-lit celebration area, a world folk museum, food trucks, a water bomb event, and various hands-on booths, providing a rich array of activities and culinary delights.

There will also be a special space for the "Geochang Pavilion and Pavilion Culture Festival," where visitors can experience Geochang’s 119 pavilions, promising a healing time where nature and humanity become one.