Many faces

“A Cultural Dance that Unites the World” was the theme of the 29th Andong International Maskdance Festival 2025, held from Sept. 26 to Oct. 5 at Jungang Line 1942 Andong Station and Talchum (traditional mask dance) Park.

Another slogan is “Dancing Mask, Finding Various Faces.” This slogan reminds me of various hidden faces in our lives, identities and personalities. Various masks have always reflected the joys and sorrows of humanity beyond time and culture across the countries in the world.

As a representative Korean cultural festival, this annual event is hosted and organized by the Korean Foundation for Cultures and Ethics. It is also supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, as well as the Korean Heritage Service.

Dance teams from 26 countries from across six continents are participating this year. Seventeen of them are Korean and 29 teams are international. With various programs for performance, competition, participation, exhibition, personal experiences and special food experiences, Andong International Maskdance Festival has maintained its top position among more than 1,500 festivals held in Korea every year.

This year, Italy has been chosen as the festival's highlight country, marking the 141st anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Italy.

A mask is more than just a cover for the face. It is not only a symbol that captures and inspires universal human emotions such as joy, anger, sorrow and pleasure, but also a cultural expression that transforms social or political pressures and the struggles of daily life into smiles, humor, satire, hope, dreams and freedom.

The power of masks is the ability to hide one’s own face, take on another and create new stories. The many faces of masks inspire us to discover another side of ourselves. Thus, the many faces represent the limitless world of expressions and the diverse identities of people.

With many faces, we can laugh, celebrate and learn to understand our differences. We can be simple and free enough to enliven the inclusiveness of the community. Above all, masks create a sense of harmony, compassion, empathy and cultural exchange with the world.

Each of us has so many faces, personalities and identities, and these varieties empower society and the country.

“Many faces” reminds me of a well-known song titled "Thorn tree."

“There are so many of me inside of me that there is no place for you to rest. With vain wishes in me, there is no place for you to rest. Inside of me is the darkness that I can’t help but take your place to rest. Inside me is a sadness that I can't overcome. It is like a lush thorn forest. When the wind blows, the dry branches cling to each other and cry. Even the young birds that flew away exhausted in search of shelter are pierced by thorns and fly away. When the wind blows, it is so lonely and painful that there are many days to sing sad songs ...”

Emilia Gatto, the Italian ambassador to Korea, shared her greetings: “Andong is often called the most Korean place in Korea. Here, tradition meets daily life with strength and vitality. … I sincerely hope this festival will become a place where tradition strengthens creativity and energy in the city.”

“Masks may conceal the face, but they open the heart!”

Kim Ae-ran is a member of the Daughters of Saint Paul (Figlie di San Paolo), living the Good News and proclaiming it through various means of social communication.