Dance Festivals Abound in June
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Korea's two biggest cities ― Seoul and Busan ― will host talented dancers from around the world with their own unique festivals: The 6th World Ballet Star Festival and the 5th Busan International Dance Festival.
The World Ballet Star Festival is where both dance fans and dance beginners can enjoy the cream of the crop of famous performances, including ``Romeo and Juliet,'' ``Giselle'' and ``The Nutcracker.''
The six-year-old festival has worked as a tool to bridge the gap between the graceful art form and the public, and has successfully done so over the years.
Last year, Daniil Simkin from the American Ballet Theater wowed fans with his powerful jumps and dynamic stage presence, while Anna Antonicheva from the Bolshoi Ballet showed off her exquisite and graceful moves.
This year will also see impeccable dancers gracing the stage, with Polina Semionova and Dmytryi Semionov from the Berlin Staatsoper Ballet, Viengsay Valdes from the Cuba National Ballet and Ekaterina Osmolkina from the Kirov Ballet, among others.
Organizers have hinted that one of the must-see sequences is the famous Pas de Deux from ``Le Corsaire'' performed by Semionova and her brother Dmytryi. Having the innocent image of a swan, the 18-year-old Semionova has appeared in many commercials in Japan, and she will transform into the lovely Medora for the powerful dance.
Another scene is the famous solo of Odile, or also known as the dark swan, from ``Swan Lake,'' which is known to be one of the most difficult to perform with the 32 fouettes en tournant. It will be performed by Valdes.
Local dancers will also get to join the international roster, with Kim Joo-won, Jang Un-kyu from the Korea National Ballet Company and Hwang Hye-min and Um Jae-yong from the Universal Ballet performing a scene from ``Raymonda'' and ``Giselle,'' respectively.
The World Ballet Star Festival will be held at Seoul Arts Center from June 4 to 5. Tickets cost from 30,000 won to 200,000 won. For more information, call (02) 915-8086.
Meanwhile, Busan will welcome more than 50 troupes from 10 countries coming to stage 70 works at this year's Busan International Dance Festival (BIDF). The biggest of its kind since its launch in 2005 and the only dance festival receiving funding from the government, the festival will bring various repertoires from distinctive dancers from around the world.
``Based in Busan, BIDF 2009 hopes to promote and develop Busan culture and art and to be a focal point in the world of dance festivals. It is now known as an international cultural tourist festival that fuses dance and nature together with harmony,'' said Lee Yun-ja, the chairwoman of the festival.
Must see performances include the Compania Aerea BALANCE from Chile with its acrobatic work ``Entre Millones'' and Canadian troupe ZOGMA's ``Excerpt from Rapaille.''
```Entre Millones' is focused on the technical features of dance, while ZOGMA's work is a fusion of tap and jazz dance,'' an organizer said.
Aside from the unique works presented by troupes, the BIDF have also arranged an International Forum session May 31, where culture figures and dance experts such as Spanish journalist Alexei Issacovitch and Natalie Weir, the art director of Australia's Expressions Dance Company, will discuss various issues concerning dance festivals around the world.
For those visiting Busan for the festival, don't miss the Sand Festival, which will also be held from May 29 to June 1. For more information about the sand festival, visit www.sandfestival.kr.
The BIDF 2009 will be held from May 31 to June 4 at various venues. The opening ceremony and several performances will be held at the Haeundae Special Floating Stage, and also at the Busan Cultural Center while the forums will be held at the Haeundae Grand Hotel. The outdoor events are free, while tickets for the indoor performances are 30,000 won. For more information, visit www.bidf.or.kr or call (051) 555-2949.