ARTS FESTIVALS ENRICH AUTUMN

Offering an unforgettable opportunity to art-lovers, Seoul will this week host two major performing arts festivals, resplendent with modern dance, theatrical acts and music.

One of the two festivals, the annual Seoul Performing Arts Festival began its month-long run Saturday in the theaters and streets of Daehangno, downtown Seoul, featuring an extensive roster of the more recognized recent works of drama and dance selected from in and out of the country.

With the theme "The power of performing arts to change the world," the six-year-old festival - the nation's largest celebration of performing arts - will feature a total of 26 selected works at the theaters in Daehangno and the National Theater of Korea in nearby Jangchung-dong through Oct. 29.

"Cleansed," one of the opening works at the Seoul Performing Arts Festival 2006

In its the opening performance, "Cleansed" (Oct. 7-9 at the Arko Arts Theater), the aesthetic and cruel work of the 20th century master artist Sarah Kane has already grabbed the attention of local audiences.

The polished work, which has received constant praise internationally since its premier five years ago, tells a bitter love story of a young man seeking the love of a woman. As for domestic plays, the experimental drama of "Three Beautiful Soulmates (Oct. 20-22 at the Drama Center) by Three Theatre Troupe is expected to be one of the festival's main attractions. The performance depicts three different paths taken by three monks questioning love and life during the time when the ancient Koryo was attacked by Mongolia.

"Mother Courage and Her Children" (Oct. 17-19 at Sogang University Mary Hall) by Dramatic Theater Chungwoo is also worth mentioning. Based on a traditional Korean play, the work draws the picture of the poor life of a mother who bravely holds onto life despite losing her children during wartime.

At the same time, the Performing Arts Market in Seoul 2006 will be held at Arko Arts Theater, Daehagno, Oct. 11-14, offering a marketplace for performing art organizers and experts. This the second year for Korea has hosted an international performing art market place. Differentiating its character, the four-day-event is intended to promote the popularity of domestic performances in foreign markets as well as introducing new foreign performances to the local audience.

"Born Again," one of the selected plays at the Performing Arts Market in Seoul 2006

"Out of 7,400 pieces released by over 30 performing arts companies per year in Korea, only 2.4 percent are reaching toward a foreign market. We hope (this annual event) will be a chance to reveal the latest trends of Korea's contemporary performing arts as well as exchange cultural activities at the international level," said Lee Gyu-seog, president of the Korea Arts Management Service, which organized the event. About 80 exhibition booths representing both domestic and foreign troupes will be set up, while some 30 showcase performances will be presented for visitors.The festival aims to attract foreign theater operators through showcasing the PAMS choice, a series of local performing art performances that previously received critical acclaim from domestic audiences.

Those selected performances include "Born Again" by Trust Dance Company and "Lady Macbeth" by Theatre Moollee. The annual event includes diverse programs including showcases, booth exhibitions, seminars, forums and networking events. Various workshops, discussions and educational sessions are also to be held during the four-day-event to maximize the use of PAMS resources and networks, organizers said.

More than 120 foreign performing arts planners and theater operators from 30 countries are expected to participate in the events. Both festival provide English subtitle services for foreigners. For further information of the two festivals, visit www.spaf21.com or www.pams.or.kr

By Cho Chung-un, The Korea Herald