Geochang International Festival of Theatre
Geochang International Festival of Theatre
Information
| Period | Late July ~ Mid August |
|---|---|
| Location | Outdoor theatre, Suseungdae Resort, Geochang-gun, Gyeongnam |
| Host Organization | Geochang International Festival of Theatre Committee |
| Tel | 055-944-4738 |
| Homepage | http://www.kift.or.kr/ |
| Festival Guide | Geochang International Festival of Theatre is farmer's songs transmitted in Gyeongnam Goseong area. In 1972, Kim Seok Myeong collected and presented to 'The 19th National Folk Arts Contest', and got the award of Ministry of Culture and Public Information. In 1985 it was designated as Important Intangible Cultural Asset No. 84. It is not known when the farmer's song was originated, but it has been placed deep in Korean race's heart as the folklore which farmers sang while working together. The farmer's song was very popular in Goseong in the late Joseon Dynasty. It relieved farmers from hard work and sufferings and enhanced their cooperation and work efficiency. It is said that in the late Joseon Dynasty a parade of Gyeongsang provincial officials happened to pass the Goseong field and heard farmers singing. They were raptured by the song, stopped and stayed overnight, and awarded a big prize. In the Goseong folklores there are also a song weaving cloth and a song serving funerals, but farmer's song is especially distinguished. The song sung when they pick rice sprouts is called 'Mojjigi Deungji' and the song sung when they plant rice sprouts is called 'Mosimgi Deungji'. In the morning they start with slow 'Long Deungji', in the afternoon they sing rather fast 'Afternoon Deungji' and at sunset they sing 'Sunset Deungji'. The slow 'Long Deungji' is profound and sad. The fast and short 'Afternoon Deungji' is vigorous and joyful. The song for planting rice sprouts is different in the morning, afternoon and evening. "The song for picking reeds" is sad, "the song for flailing" is vigorous, "the song for the spinning wheel" represents the suffering of women's marriage life. At present Geochang International Festival of Theatre consists of 50 members doing every effort to transmit their skill to the decedents. |
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