"The DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) Open International Music Festival was created to reconsider awareness of ecology and peace beyond the dark history of the DMZ."
Im Mijeong, the general director of the DMZ Open Festival, explained the meaning of the music festival at a press conference for the DMZ Open International Music Festival held on the 30th at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. Now in its second year, the DMZ Open International Music Festival will be held from November 9 to 16 at the Aram Music Hall in Goyang Aram Nuri, Gyeonggi Province. The DMZ Open International Music Festival is the final event of the 'DMZ Open Festival,' which has been taking place since May at the Paju Imjingak Peace Nuri area.
This year, a separate concert titled the 'Ammunition Depot Series' will be held at Camp Greaves, a returned U.S. military base within the civilian control line in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, to deepen the meaning of peace. The Ammunition Depot Series concerts will be held every weekend from next month on the 5th until November 11.
The chairman of the DMZ Open Festival organizing committee is Professor Choi Jaecheon, a distinguished professor at Ewha Womans University. The DMZ has become increasingly important today as its ecology has been well preserved due to the long absence of human footsteps, while environmental destruction has become severe.
Professor Choi, a leading ecologist in Korea, said, "When they asked me to serve as chairman when starting the DMZ Open Festival project in Gyeonggi Province, I agreed without hesitation."
From the left, Choi Jaecheon, Chairman of the DMZ Open Festival Organizing Committee, violinist Dmitri Udovichenko, and Lim Mijeong, General Director of the DMZ Open Festival Photo by Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation
Professor Choi expressed his desire to raise awareness of the ecological importance of the DMZ through the power of culture.
"I always participate in DMZ-related forums and repeatedly discuss the DMZ academically, but the question always follows: how do we share this with the public? At such times, the best way is to borrow the power of art. No matter how many scientific papers you write, if about ten fellow researchers read them, it is considered a very good paper. But truly excellent performances can be shared by hundreds of thousands."
A large academic event is also planned to coincide with this November’s DMZ Open International Music Festival.
This year’s DMZ Open International Music Festival will feature pianist Baek Geonwoo, Choi Youngseon, Yoon Hongcheon, soprano Park Hyesang, the KBS Symphony Orchestra, Arete Quartet, winners of the Lyon Chamber Music Competition in France, and the Risus Quartet, winners of the Melbourne Competition in Australia.
Violinist Dmitry Udovichenko, who won this year’s Queen Elisabeth Competition in Belgium, will also participate. Udovichenko, born in Ukraine, which is currently at war, holds special significance in participating in this festival. On November 13, Udovichenko will perform a duo concert with pianist Yoon Hongcheon and will also participate in the closing performance on the 16th. He completed performances in Korea last month, including a collaboration with the National Symphony Orchestra, and plans to return to Korea in November for the music festival.
He said, "Since this festival is held under the theme of peace, I think it is very important," and added, "I am very happy to have the opportunity to participate in this festival aimed at promoting peace."
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