Two distinguished winners of the Seoul Arts Award are set to showcase Korean traditional arts across Europe this fall, bringing their acclaimed performances to international audiences through a comprehensive tour spanning eight cities in seven countries. The Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture announced that the tour will feature a total of 12 performances scheduled for October and November, highlighting the global appeal and artistic excellence of Korean traditional performing arts.
The first segment of the European tour will feature geomungo virtuoso Heo Yoon-jeong, who claimed the inaugural grand prize of the Seoul Arts Award, now in its third year. Her groundbreaking work "Masterful Harmony" represents a sophisticated fusion of traditional Korean instruments with contemporary artistic sensibilities, creating a unique sound that honors Korean musical heritage while appealing to modern audiences. Heo, who is also recognized as a member of the innovative jazz-gugak crossover ensemble Black String, has earned widespread acclaim for her ability to expand the creative possibilities of Korea's traditional six-string zither while maintaining deep respect for its historical lineage.
First premiered in 2023, "Masterful Harmony" embodies Heo's profound reverence for traditional Korean music alongside her relentless pursuit of performance excellence at the highest artistic level. The composition masterfully weaves together music and dance elements into what Heo describes as "a sea of tradition," designed to invite international listeners to experience Korean music through fresh and unexpected perspectives. This innovative approach demonstrates how traditional Korean arts can transcend cultural boundaries while preserving their authentic essence.
Heo's European performances will commence in Prague on October 2 at the prestigious ARCHA venue, followed by a performance at Vienna's renowned Musikverein Brahms Hall on October 4, and concluding the first leg with a show at Budapest's Eiffel Art Studios on October 6. These carefully selected venues represent some of Europe's most respected cultural institutions, underscoring the international recognition of Korean traditional arts.
The second program in the tour will showcase "Je: Burnt Offering," an extraordinary work created by 99 Art Company under the artistic direction of choreographer Jang Hye-rim. This production earned the second Seoul Arts Award and draws profound inspiration from seungmu, a traditional Buddhist ritual dance, as well as the ancestral ceremonial rite known as je. Through these traditional elements, the performance explores contemporary themes including the inherent dignity of labor and the fundamental sacredness of human life.
"Je: Burnt Offering" will begin its European journey in Andorra on November 11, coinciding with the celebration of 25 years of diplomatic relations between Korea and Andorra. The tour will then continue through multiple Italian cities, including Bari on November 15 and Rome on November 18, before moving to France for performances in Paris on November 21 and Thonon-les-Bains on November 25. The tour will conclude with shows in Brussels, Belgium on November 28-29, and a final performance in Prague, Czech Republic on December 2.
The Seoul Arts Award represents a prestigious recognition program that honors outstanding artistic works supported by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture's Arts Creation Program, specifically celebrating performances that were staged in Seoul during the previous year. According to foundation representatives, this European tour serves multiple important purposes: it demonstrates the significant international potential of the award-winning pieces while also showcasing the comprehensive creative cycle that the program aims to foster. This cycle encompasses the complete journey from initial artistic creation and formal recognition to widespread circulation and public enjoyment, ultimately contributing to the global appreciation of Korean traditional performing arts.
