By Chung Hyun-chae
The World Ethnic Dance Institute, affiliated with the Korea National University of Arts, will host international ethnic dance performances at the ARKO Arts Theater in Jongno, central Seoul, Sept. 15-17.
The institute organized the performances to commemorate the 15th anniversary of its foundation.
The event will deliver a variety of dances from 11 countries, primarily Asian countries, including China, Japan and Myanmar.
“Audiences will discover cultural diversity through each country’s traditional dances,” the institute said.
On the first day, two human cultural assets of Japan, Yamamoto Tojiro and Tomoeda Akiyo, will perform Japanese traditional dances kyogen tuuen and no tenkuu, along with other Korean traditional dances.
On the last day, students of the arts university will perform the Korean traditional court dance hangjangmu.
The institute was launched in 2000 with the aim of promoting Korean traditional dances as well as world ethnic dances through exchanges with other countries.
“We have been striving to put such intangible heritage from many nations on stage in Korea while promoting Korean traditional arts around the world,” Hur Young-il, chief of the institute, said.