Korean Cultural Extravaganza Set to Begin

A 36-strong cultural group from Christchurch’s Korean sister-city Songpa-Gu is about to arrive in Christchurch to give three performances in early October.

Dressed in vibrant costumes and playing traditional Korean instruments, the group will present an extravaganza of Korean music, dance and drumming at two free performances and one modestly priced show at the Christchurch Town Hall. The group has been invited here, following their enthusiastically received performances in Christchurch, two years ago.

The two free performances, which will provide a taste of the full programme, will be held on Friday, 4 October in Cathedral Square from 12.15-1.15pm and on Saturday, 5 October at the Arts Centre’s South Quad from 1.00-2.00pm. The full programme ‘Sights and Sounds of Korea’ will be performed at the James Hay Theatre on Saturday, 5 October from 7.30pm.

Among the items presented will be the Fan Dance, an old Korean folk dance derived from an original exorcist’s dance; Samul Nori involving traditional Korean percussion instruments and Farmers Folk Art - a colourful unified performance of musicians, dancers and speakers.

Burnside High School’s award winning Morrison Quartet, will also perform during the first half of the full concert. The special guest of the evening will be His Excellency Ambassador Woo-Seong Chong from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea. Tickets will be available from Ticketek outlets and cost $5.

The concert is being organised by the Christchurch Songpa-Gu Sister City Committee. Songpa-Gu and Christchurch have been sister-cities since 1995. Songpa-Gu is located in the southeast of Seoul, the capital city of South Korea.

For more information contact:

• Sue McFarlane, International Relations, Christchurch City Council on 941 8959.
• Graeme Plummer, Honorary Consul for the Republic of Korea on 0274 533 160 or 353 6867

Information about Christchurch’s six sister-cities can be found at www.christchurch.org.nz/SisterCities