A Romantic Summer Night Filled with Classics... Yeongdeok's First 'Yeongdeok Boem Ensemble' Regular Concert Concludes Successfully

On July 16, the Yeongdeok Culture and Tourism Foundation announced that the 2nd regular concert of the 'Yeongdeok Boem Ensemble', titled 'Viva! Viva! Classic', held at the Intangible Cultural Heritage Training Center's small theater, concluded to an enthusiastic response.

Yeongdeok Boem Ensemble Regular Concert 'Viva! Viva! Classic!'.

This concert was held as part of the 2025 Regional Culture and Arts Revitalization Support Project, hosted by the Gyeongbuk Cultural Foundation and sponsored by the Yeongdeok Culture and Tourism Foundation.

The 'Yeongdeok Boem Ensemble' is the first classical ensemble in Yeongdeok composed of professional musicians. Centered around conductor Kim Seokgu, young performers active in the Gyeongbuk region, especially in Yeongdeok, came together to form the group in 2024.

The team name 'Boem (Boheme)' is derived from the word 'Bohemian', which refers to the gypsy artists of the Bohemia region in the Czech Republic, and reflects the ensemble's commitment to expressing art that is as free-spirited and passionate as the gypsies.

This concert featured a unique atmosphere by rearranging string ensemble works by Samuel Barber, Tchaikovsky, Britten, and Brahms?including Barber's famous 'Adagio for Strings'?for woodwind, percussion, and piano. In particular, the performance was planned to offer comfort and encouragement to local residents who have recently suffered from wildfire damage, adding further meaning to the event.

Conductor Kim Seokgu provided commentary for each piece to help the audience better understand the music, enhancing their immersion, while the artists delivered deeply moving performances with sincerity and a high level of artistry. In addition to the general audience, Kim Kwangyeol, the mayor of Yeongdeok, attended the event to show his support for the passionate group of young musicians.

A local resident who attended the concert shared, "Although I am not very familiar with classical music, the explanations made it easy to understand, which made the experience even more moving. I was delighted to enjoy such a high-quality performance here in Yeongdeok."

A representative from the Yeongdeok Culture and Tourism Foundation stated, "We plan to actively support outstanding local arts organizations like the Yeongdeok Boem Ensemble so they can continue to grow. We will also operate a variety of performances and programs to ensure that residents can enjoy high-quality culture and arts."

Performances and cultural arts programs organized or brought in by the Yeongdeok Culture and Tourism Foundation through open calls can be found on the foundation's official website.