Celebration Ahead of Gugak Promotion Act Enforcement "Establishing a Systematic System"

Shin Younghee, Holder of National Intangible Heritage Pansori, and Others Participate

A celebration will be held at Seoul Namsan Gugakdang on the eve of the enforcement of the Gugak Promotion Act. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that Vice Minister Yong Hoseong will meet with Gugak officials on the 25th to commemorate the enforcement of the Gugak Promotion Act and listen to on-site opinions for the development of traditional arts.

On May 14th, at Sujeongjeon Hall in Gyeongbokgung Palace, the 'Sejong Ido Birthday Celebration' was held to commemorate the 627th anniversary of King Sejong the Great's birth on May 15th. The National Gugak Center's Jeongak Orchestra and Dance Troupe performed 'Yeominrak (與民樂) Bongraeui (鳳來儀)'. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

About eighty people will participate in the celebration, including Shin Younghee, holder of the National Intangible Heritage Pansori, Jo Heungdong, advisor of the Korea Dance Association, Professor Park Beomhoon of Dongguk University, senior figures in the Gugak community, Chae Chiseong, artistic director of the National Gugak Orchestra, young education members from the National Gugak Center and the National Theater, and representatives of companies supporting Gugak promotion. The Yeongjae Haneumhoe children will perform a Samulnori celebration performance representing the future generation leading the development of Gugak.

The Gugak Promotion Act, which will take effect from the 26th, includes provisions for establishing a basic plan for Gugak promotion, conducting surveys on the preservation and succession of Gugak, training professionals for the promotion of Gugak and the Gugak cultural industry, and designating Gugak Day. Vice Minister Yong stated, "We will systematically establish necessary policies and systems, including the formulation of a basic plan, for the promotion and development of Gugak."