Korea to host international children's arts festival

By John Redmond

The Korean branch of the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People

(ASSITEJ Korea) will host the 25th ASSITEJ Korea International Summer Festival at select venues in Korea from July 19 to 30.

The festival’s Mexico-focused programs have been organized as part of celebrations for the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and Mexico.

This year sees 14 performances for children and young people from 11 countries including Mexico, France, Scotland, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, the U.S. and Canada.

The theme for this year is “Curiosity on the stage!”

“The performances strive to encourage young people to continuously question the world around them, to explore it, and expand their imaginations. The programs are designed to inspire the audiences to release their creativity,” organizers said.

“Each year ASSITEJ Korea selects a particular country and organizes programs to introduce its culture and to celebrate diplomatic relations with Korea. Mexico is this year’s focus, in celebration of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, with four performances from Mexico, a country whose productions are rarely highlighted to such an extent in Korean festivals.”

Mexico, where the current secretariat of ASSITEJ International is located, is known for its strength in puppetry.

“Audiences can expect to enjoy performances of highly artistic and technical standards from Mexico,” organizers added.

As part of the annual festival, the 2017 Korea-China-Japan Performing Arts Festival for Children will be hosted by the Korean side from July 29 to 30. Each country will present one performance. In addition, a roundtable meeting will be held for experts from Korea, China and Japan to discuss and share ideas to contribute to theater for children and young people.

Diverse performances for people of all ages will include, “Vera and the Water,” a dance drama aimed at children aged from three to seven, the technical skills of Mexican puppetry from “Post-Mortem,” a tabletop puppet show aimed at teens and older, and “The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean,” a detective play which invites audiences to unravel the clues.

The official opening performance is “Dziu the Bird” that portrays the story of a courageous ancestor from the mysterious Maya civilization, combining Mexican culture’s vibrant rhythms and creative objects.

The festival takes place in and around Daehangno, including the Main Hall and Small Hall of Daehakro Arts Theater, Jongno Children’s Theater, IEUM Center, and the Multipurpose Hall (B2) at Marronnier Park. Daehangno is also known as the theater district in Hyehwa.

ASSITEJ unites theaters, organizations and individuals throughout the world who produce theater for children and young people and is dedicated to the artistic, cultural and educational rights of children and young people from around 100 countries.

The annual ASSITEJ Korea International Summer Festival is supported by the Arts Council Korea (ARKO). The ASSITEJ Korea International Summer Festival has received a rating of A (Excellent) from ARKO for three consecutive years from 2014 to 2016. ASSITEJ Korea also received a Presidential Citation in Theatre and Dance at the 46th Korean Culture and Arts Awards.

For more information, visit www.assitejkorea.org, email international@assitejkorea.org or phone (02) 745-5863.