Yeoncheon DMZ International Music Festival Ends in Success with All Seats Sold Out

Yeoncheon County in Gyeonggi Province announced on August 1 that the 12th Yeoncheon DMZ International Music Festival, held from July 25 to August 1, ended in great success with a record of selling out all seats.

Kim Deokhyun, Yeoncheon County Governor, attended the 12th Yeoncheon DMZ International Music Festival held from the 25th of last month to the 1st and took a commemorative photo with the officials. Provided by Yeoncheon County

This year’s festival, under the theme of "HARMONY," transformed the historical symbolism of the DMZ into culture and art, providing a meaningful occasion for artists and audiences from both Korea and abroad to share the values of peace and unity.

In particular, the competition awards ceremony and final gala concert, held at 7:30 p.m. on July 31 at the Yeoncheon Sureul Art Hall Grand Theater, marked the grand finale of the festival and left a deep impression on the audience.

For the first time in the history of the Yeoncheon DMZ International Music Festival, all seats for this performance were sold out, and the venue was filled with Yeoncheon residents as well as classical music fans from the greater Seoul area.

At the competition (solo performance) awards ceremony held prior to the concert, trophies and certificates were presented to young performers who demonstrated outstanding musical skills in four categories: piano, violin, cello, and clarinet.

Kim Deokhyeon, Governor of Yeoncheon County, personally presented awards to the first-place winners in each category, stating, "I hope Yeoncheon’s music festival will serve as a stepping stone for the growth of future generations and their advancement onto the global stage." The second-place awards were presented by the Chairperson of the Yeoncheon County Council, and the third-place awards were given by the representative of the DMZ International Music Festival Organizing Committee.

The subsequent final gala concert featured Artistic Director Park Sukryeon, all participating faculty, organizing committee members Pi Hoyoung and Kang Chungmo, and pianist Ra Gyumi from Yeoncheon. Beloved classical masterpieces such as Debussy’s "Clair de Lune," Brahms’ "Hungarian Dance No. 5," and Elgar’s "Salut d’Amour" received enthusiastic responses from the audience. Through this music festival, Yeoncheon County demonstrated that music and culture can serve as powerful means to reinterpret the significance of the DMZ.

An official from Yeoncheon County stated, "We will continue to provide unwavering support so that the Yeoncheon DMZ International Music Festival can establish itself as an international festival of peace and art."