Park Ji-won is a writer for The Korea Times who has been covering a wide range of topics from Korea’s culture to its politics. An avid journalism enthusiast to the core, Ji-won brings a thoughtful and unique perspective to every topic she covers. On weekends, you'll often find her contemplating life’s purpose on a yoga mat — with a cup of quality tea in hand. A native Korean speaker by birth and fluent in English through her work, she went to college in Japan and is learning Chinese and French — hoping to add Polish, Russian and Thai to the mix.
Ryu Dance Company ties for 1st in int'l dance competition
Three members of Ryu Dance Company, left, and Brazilian dance troupe CTG Rancho da Saudade pose after tying for the first prize at the International Folk Dance Competition “Golden Bridge” on the sidelines of the 22nd International Buyukcekmece Culture and Art Festival held in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday (local time). Courtesy of FIDAF Turkey
By Park Ji-won
By Park Ji-won
Ryu Dance Company has tied for first prize at the International Folk Dance Competition “Golden Bridge” held on the sidelines of the 22nd International Buyukcekmece Culture and Art Festival in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, local time, sharing victory with Brazilian dance company CTG Rancho da Saudade.
The Korean dance company presented a traditional drum dance performance from Jindo for the annual folk dance competition, held July 27 to 31 by the Federation of International Dance Festivals.
Second prize went to Ensamble Folklorico Mexicano from Mexico and Amazebra Youth Organization from South Africa. The third prize went to Cossack Ensemble Stanitsa from Russia and Grupo Folclorico de Alvaraes from Portugal. The competition featured 22 dance companies from 22 countries.
Founded in 2003 by Yoo Youn-soo, who was a proponent of “seungmu” or monks' dance, the country's intangible cultural heritage No. 27, the art troupe has been winning awards locally with its Korean traditional dance performances, including the presidential award at the 17th Hanbat National Traditional Music Contest, one of the largest traditional art competitions here.
The dance company also won first prize in the 2nd FIDAF Brazil World Championship held from Dec. 4 to 5 last year.