National Theater and Japan's New National Theater Sign Agreement to Promote Cultural Exchange

The National Theater of Korea (National Theater) announced on the 12th that it has signed a business agreement with the New National Theatre, Tokyo, Japan, to promote Korea-Japan cultural exchange.

This agreement was signed on the 28th of last month with the purpose of commemorating the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan in 2025, promoting cultural and artistic exchange and cooperation between the two countries, and expanding joint projects.

The agreement includes cooperation between the two institutions to ▲expand human exchange in culture and arts ▲activate exchange of artistic projects ▲utilize facilities and infrastructure of both theaters ▲expand joint projects ▲promote international development and global exchange.

National Theater [Photo by National Theater]

New National Theatre, Japan [Photo by National Theatre]

In particular, as part of the events commemorating the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan in 2025, an exchange screening of performance recordings produced by the two institutions will be held.

First, on February 8 next year, the New National Theatre, Tokyo’s Puccini opera Turandot (conducted by Ono Kazushi, directed by Alex Oll?) will be screened once at the National Theater’s Haeoreum Theater. Then, on August 28, the National Dance Company’s representative works 2022 Dance Drama Hodong (script and direction by Lee Ji-na, choreography by Jung So-yeon, Song Ji-young, Song Seol) and Mongyudowonmu (choreography and direction by Cha Jin-yeop) will be screened consecutively at the New National Theatre, Tokyo’s Middle Theater.

The New National Theatre, Tokyo, is the only national theater in Japan established to promote contemporary performing arts and opened in 1997 in Shibuya, Tokyo.

Park In-geon, director of the National Theater, said, "The signing of this agreement will strengthen the cultural ties between the two countries and be a new step to maximize creativity and artistic potential. We are very honored to strengthen cooperation between the national theaters of Korea and Japan in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan. We hope that this cooperation will serve as an opportunity to explore new artistic possibilities and promote coexistence and development of the cultures of both countries."