The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on the 4th that a Jongmyo Jeryeak performance commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Singapore will be held on the 4th and 5th at the Esplanade Theatre in Singapore.
The Jongmyo Jeryeak performance is hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and jointly organized by the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Singapore, and the National Gugak Center. Jongmyo Jeryeak has been officially invited for the first time to the world religious music festival (A Tapestry of Sacred Music) hosted by the Esplanade Theatre, providing a stage for the performance. The world religious music festival is a representative performance festival in Singapore held every April at the Esplanade Theatre, showcasing various traditional music with religious backgrounds from around the world.
During the performance period, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will prepare various side events such as an exhibition of photos related to gugak, a digital experience center where visitors can listen to instrument sounds, trying on performance costumes, and taking commemorative photos to help locals feel closer to Korean traditional culture. Before the performance, in the afternoon of April 4th, a celebration event for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations will be held with the attendance of key figures including Singapore’s Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng, National Heritage Board Chairman Chang Huini, Head of the Diplomatic Corps Agustin Garcia Lopez Loeza, and Korean Ambassador to Singapore Hong Jinwook.
Since establishing diplomatic relations with Singapore in 1975, Korea has continuously developed a friendly relationship in the cultural field through agreements such as the Cultural Agreement (1995), the Memorandum of Understanding on Sports Cooperation (1997), and the establishment of the Singapore Content Business Center (2024).
Cultural exchange events between Korea and Singapore continue throughout the year. In July, young artists from both countries will perform jazz concerts through cooperation between the Esplanade Theatre and the Jarasum Jazz Festival, and in September, lanterns made of hanji paper will brightly illuminate Singapore’s representative tourist spot, Gardens by the Bay. In addition, various cultural exchange events will be held, including participation as the guest country in the Asia Children’s Content Festival (May), a collaboration between pianist Baek Geonwoo and the Singapore Orchestra (October), the LG Arts Center’s planned theatrical performance "Cherry Blossom Garden" (November), and exchanges of young artists.
Kim Hyunjun, Director of International Cultural Policy at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said, "K-Culture plays an important role as a connecting link between Korea and Singapore," adding, "We hope that the cultural events commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations will further activate exchanges between the two countries and develop friendly relations."
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