The Korea-Wave Project Group under the School of Korean Traditional Arts Goes to the Cuba Disco 2023 Upon Invitation

Officially invited to the Cuba Disco 2023, the largest music festival in Cuba, the Arts Hallyu Leading Project Group under the School of Korean Traditional Arts showcased the essence and aesthetics of Korean traditional music and performance through 5 concerts at the National Theater of Cuba on Tuesday, 9 May.

On the evening of Tuesday, 9 May, the performance group held a solo concert at the National Theater of Cuba, as a part of the main program of the Cuba Disco 2023. On that day, they delivered to the audience “Cuba Sinawi,” “Samdo Suljang-go,” “Hojeok Pungryu,” “Song of Kyeong Seong,” “Beona and Lion Dance,” and “Pan Gut.”

On Sunday, 7 May, they presented a collaboration concert with Guampara Music, the only independent music label in Cuba on the rooftop of the building in the old town of Habana. On Wednesday, 10 May, the group put on several performances, including Binari, Pan Gut, Beona, and Lion Dance on Obispo Street, one of the most crowded streets in the old town of Habana. On the next day, with the garden concert at the Mella Theater, the group enjoyed Korean traditional music with travelers from all around the world through gayageum, haegeum, creative percussion, taepyeongso, and samulnori.

On Friday, 12 May, Professor Lee Dongyeon of the Department of the Korean Traditional Arts, who directed the concert tour, attended the international conference of the Cuba Disco 2023 and gave a presentation on “the current situation of Korean music markets focusing on K-pop, festivals, and world music.” He also had interviews with the international press, including Cuba’s national TV, and visited Egrem the national record label of Cuba, the national circus school, and the national ethnic dance school to discuss on the vision for cultural exchange between the two countries. Professor also arranged a meeting with the Korean descendants who had immigrated to Cuba 100 years ago and had a memorable moment of playing Arirang together.