Korean art troupes to offer cultural performances at Costa Rican arts festival

Korea's cultural and sports delegations will perform representative cultural programs at the 2012 International Arts Festival (FIA) to be held in San Jose, Costa Rica from March 15-25.

The culture ministry said Friday that seven performing groups, including Haegeum Plus, a crossover music group led by Kang Eun-il on the haegeum, a two-string Korean instrument, and samulnori, a traditional percussion quartet, will take part in the festival.

Performers of "namsadangnori," which dates back to the late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) and is No. 3 on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list; Korean martial art taekwondo athletes and a B-boy dancing team will also show off Korea's rich cultural heritage along with a popera trio and a contemporary dancing troupe before the audience at the No. 1 Costa Rican arts festival.

The biennial arts festival is the biggest cultural event in the Central American nation with 5,000 artists from 20 countries participating.

More than 1 million people out of Cost Rica's entire population of 4.6 million are known to enjoy the festival's various programs.

South Korea has been invited as the main guest country for the 2012 FIA. This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Seoul and San Jose.

The groups will put on eight performances at the National Theater in San Jose from March 15 after holding performances in Mexico City on Saturday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between South Korea and Mexico.

South Korea also will build the Korean Pavilion at La Sabana Park near the National Theater to introduce various aspects of Korean culture, including "hanji" or traditional paper, food, traditional costumes, handicrafts and hangul, the Korean alphabet.

Nine representative Korean movies, including "Hwangjini," will be screened at the park and other venues and an art exhibition showcasing 40 Korean paintings will also be held during the festival period.

Korean Culture Minister Choe Kwang-shik plans to attend the festival and introduce Korean culture to his Costa Rican counterpart. (Yonhap)