"Human, Living in Nature, Dramatic World!"
76 Performances from 7 Countries Unfold Over 10 Days
The Geochang Cultural Foundation in South Gyeongsang Province will open the 35th Geochang International Theatre Festival, the largest outdoor theater festival in Korea, under the slogan "Human, Living in Nature, Dramatic World!" at the Suseungdae Turtle Theater in Geochang for ten days starting July 25.
The opening ceremony will be attended by many distinguished guests, including County Governor Koo Inmo, National Assembly Member Shin Sungbeom, and County Council Chairman Lee Jaeun, as well as artists, theater professionals, and spectators. Actors Kang Buja, Jin Seonkyu, and Kim Sungkyun will serve as festival ambassadors, which is expected to further enhance the prestige and public interest in the Geochang International Theatre Festival.
The pre-ceremony performances will feature a traditional Korean music performance by the Geochang Gugak Institute, a unique performance art piece by world-renowned artist Shin Yonggu, and a dynamic percussion performance by Samatdi, all harmonizing with the natural surroundings of Suseungdae to open the festival. The congratulatory performances will include a powerful and grand choral stage by Heritage, the winning team of SBS's "Sing for Gold," and the youth performance choir Fantastic Chorus, promising an artistic and impressive showcase.
In particular, this year’s opening ceremony will be held at the Turtle Theater (formerly the Stone Wall Theater), set against the backdrop of the Turtle Rock at Suseungdae. To provide a better viewing environment for the audience, 600 additional seats have been installed, and the stone wall has been removed so that visitors can enjoy both the performance and the natural scenery together.
This 35th Geochang International Theatre Festival will run through August 3, featuring a total of 76 performances by 57 theater troupes from 7 countries, taking place at various venues in Suseungdae and at the Geochang High School of Theatre.
The closing ceremony, marking the grand finale of the festival, will be held on August 3 at the Suseungdae Turtle Theater. It will include an awards ceremony for the competition entries, an official closing declaration, and a "Musical Gala Concert" to conclude this international arts event.
During the festival, ticketed performances will be held at the Suseungdae Festival Theater, Guyeon Seowon, Turtle Theater, and Bamboo Theater. Major shows include "He, Who No One Wants to Play Yutnori Anymore," by Cornerstone, winner of the Young Theatre Award at the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards; "Dried Peppers and Peach-Scented Lipstick," by Gongnori Club, selected as one of the Best Three Plays of 2024 by the Korean Theatre Critics Association; "Banjjogari Jajak," by Seongchanpa, chosen as one of the Best Seven Korean Theatre Performances of 2022; "The Cat Who Taught Seagulls to Fly," by the Gangwon Provincial Theater Company; and "The Oasis Laundry Incident," by the Chungbuk Provincial Theater Company.
Notably, the festival will also present outstanding international works rarely seen in Korea, such as "Small Fables" by Belgium's Gare Centrale, officially invited to the 2016 Avignon Festival; "The Way Back," a puppet and object performance by Taiwan's Double Theatre; and "Grandpa is Always Right," a story about an elderly couple by Bulgaria's Credo Theatre. These performances will be staged at the Suseungdae venues. At Gaon Theater (Theatre High School), there will be a special performance of the musical "Paris Jangseo" by Geochang Theatre High School students, as well as ten domestic competition entries.
During the festival, visitors can also enjoy a variety of amenities and experiences, including food trucks, the World Folk Museum featuring traditional ornaments and clothing from Thailand, Nepal, India, and Ecuador, various experience booths and flea markets, and the "KIDS PLAY" pop-up playground for children.
Additionally, as a side event, a renowned theater artist active in France will be invited to conduct a workshop for students at Geochang Theatre High School. This workshop is a meaningful attempt to move beyond stage performances focused solely on viewing, aiming to foster local artistic talent and transform the festival into a sustainable and evolving arts event.
Koo Inmo, County Governor, stated, "We have prepared venues that maximize and embrace nature, such as the Bamboo Theater set against the bamboo forest of Suseungdae, performances at Guyeon Seowon surrounded by woods, and the Turtle Theater with the symbolic Turtle Rock of Suseungdae as its backdrop. I hope that the Geochang International Theatre Festival will provide unforgettable inspiration for our audience and a superb stage for all theater professionals."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
