Bring gong to play in Korea

(GLO)- With the permission of Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee, invitation and financial sponsorship from Jeonju Kijeon University (Korea), the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism established a delegation of artists to attend the 22nd World Sound Festival in this country.

On September 13, 14 Jrai male artists from different villages of Ia Grai district and Pleiku city will fly to Jeonbuk province (also known as Jeollabuk or Jeollabuk-do) to participate in the 22nd World Sound Festival. According to the Organizing Committee, this annual festival has been held by Koreans in Jeonju city since 2001. Every year, in the fall, Jeonju is mentioned by many people around the world with the word "Sori". Sori in Korean means sound and language of music . This is the reason why the World Sound Festival is also known as the Jeonju International Sori Festival.

Through this event, the organizers hope to bring to the public the true value of contemporary Korean music, preserving its original forms; more importantly, “dreaming of tomorrow through creative challenges and the fusion of genres.”

The group of artists actively practiced, ready to perform. Photo: NQT

Born in 2002, Rcom Bus (Pleiku Roh village, Yen Do ward, Pleiku city) is the youngest member of the Gia Lai province artisans group participating in this event. He said: For nearly a month now, in the evenings, the whole group has regularly gathered at the house of Meritorious Artisan Rchom Tih (Jut 1 village, Ia Der commune, Ia Grai district) to practice. Like many people, I look forward to the day when I can see Korea, which I have only known and loved through movies.

Meritorious Artist Rchom Tih informed: Right after receiving instructions from the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, we met and built a nearly 1-hour long folk art program, including gong performances, folk songs and bamboo musical instruments. We practiced very actively, always encouraging each other because everyone thought this was a good opportunity to introduce Gia Lai culture to friends around the world. I myself have performed in many places, including abroad, but most of those were personal trips. This time, being officially participating in a major world music festival, I am very proud and determined to work with my colleagues in the group to let many countries know about the beauty of our Central Highlands music.

According to the festival's organizing committee, in addition to the main force of Korean artists and artisans, there are also 14 groups/teams from 11 countries in different regions of the world such as Australia, Japan, Canada, Poland, China, etc. attending this year's event. Here, in addition to modern music, artisans from Uzbekistan, Chile and Vietnam will present their typical folk music. With the theme "Co-existence and Resilience", this year's big meeting takes place over 10 days (from September 15 to 24), with 89 art programs, 105 performances and workshops.

In addition to the main stage at the Sori Art Center, the festival will be held at 14 different locations in Jeonbuk Province. The unique point is that the activities of this event will also appear at some schools, libraries, galleries, hospitals, cafes, etc. so that everyone can feel and enjoy the music conveniently.

This time, the Gia Lai Province art troupe brought to Korea more than 100 kg of luggage including musical instruments, costumes and props to perform 7 pieces. The troupe's program began with the gong song "Solidarity Greeting" and ended with the concert "Celebrating Victory". In order to introduce the richness of local folk music, folk songs, nursery rhymes, flute playing, ting ning and bro performances were also carefully prepared. Artisan Rah Lan Thang (born in 1986, Op village, Hoa Lu ward, Pleiku city) affirmed: "There has never been a program where the brothers practiced as thoroughly and enthusiastically as this time".

Interestingly, in the 22nd World Sound Festival, two groups of artists representing communities holding the UNESCO title of “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”, namely the Central Highlands Gong Cultural Space (Vietnam) and Pansori of Korea, officially had the opportunity to meet and exchange. The unique comprehensive folk art form Pansori of Korea was recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage masterpiece in 2003. Meanwhile, the Central Highlands Gong Cultural Space was recognized by this international organization in 2005.

In early 2023, a small group of artists from the Dam San Music and Dance Theater came to perform for the Vietnamese Association in Jeonju City. This time, the Jrai artists' trip officially brought a new message about Gia Lai folk culture: a land rich in identity and especially rich in music. This is also the first time that bamboo musical instruments, folk melodies and especially the solemn sound of Gia Lai gongs have resounded on a large stage in Korea.

Source: Gia Lai Newspaper - NGUYEN QUANG TUE