The Arirang Festival is held at the Heungryemun Gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace on Oct. 5.
“Arirang, Arirang, Arariyo.”
The lyrics of the song “Arirang” spread across the walls of the Heungryemun Gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul on Oct. 5 during the Arirang Festival, held to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Korean independence. The festival was centered on the song “Arirang” itself, as well as other kinds of jazz and pop music.
Chwitadae, a traditional instruments band, played during the opening as a troupe marched through the Heungryemun Gate, and a traditional samulnori percussion performance added to the audience’s amusement.
Singer Kim Young-Im sang “Jeongseon Arirang,” followed by pop pianist Shin Ji-ho who did “Arirang Variation.” The festival also featured Poppin Hyun Joon and Park Ae-ri with “Hiphop Arirang,” SG Wannabe with “Arirang Sonata” and the 2015 Arirang Super Band performing “Jazz Arirang.” Together, they filled the streets of the capital with the melody of “Arirang.”
Pop pianist Shin Ji-ho plays ‘Arirang Variation’ on stage during the Arirang Festival at the Heungryemun Gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace on Oct. 5.
Pop group Sistar, singer Insooni and SG Wannabe together sang “Jindo Arirang” and “Milyang Arirang.” A choir of exactly 70 people, in honor of the 70th anniversary of independence, sang “Global Arirang.” The song expresses the way in which Korea wants to share its culture with the world. Finally, as a finale all the singers got on stage to sing a rock ‘n’ roll version of “Arirang” together with the audience.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Jongdeok looks around an information booth about the different versions of ‘Arirang’ during the Arirang Festival at Gyeongbokgung Palace on Oct. 5.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Jongdeok said, “The unique melody of ‘Arirang’ includes the intrinsic sentiment of the people from each area where it was handed down. It has only become Korean by building on all the emotions of our lives. ‘Arirang’ is an important item of cultural heritage that must be preserved beyond Korea.”
By Jeon Han, Gu Kyeong-ah
Photos: Jeon Han
Korea.net Staff Writers
hanjeon@korea.kr
Chwitadae, a traditional instruments band, performs alongside a traditional samulnori percussion troupe at the Arirang Festival on Oct. 5.
Singer Kim Young-Im sings a version of ‘Jeongseon Arirang’ in front of the Heungryemun Gate in Seoul on Oct. 5.
Pop group Sistar sings their hit ‘Loving You’ at the Arirang Festival on Oct. 5.
Singers Kim Tae-Woo and Ailee sing a duet at the Arirang Festival on Oct. 5 in Seoul. Even though she remained seated due to a broken right leg, Ailee was able to put on a great performance and drew an enthusiastic applause from the audience.
