Korean and Lebanese Traditional Arts Meet at 19th Arab Culture Festival in Seoul

Korean fans, janggu percussion and communal dance shared a Seoul stage with Lebanon’s dabke at the 19th Arab Culture Festival, offering audiences an uncommon meeting of traditional arts from the two countries.

The event took place on the 5th with support from South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Gugak Center. The Korea-Arab Society and the National Namdo Gugak Center jointly hosted the performance, attended by about 500 members of the Arab diplomatic corps in South Korea, academics and members of the public.

“

This performance is a special occasion where Korean traditions and Arab dance come together.

Performers from both countries appeared in turn. The National Namdo Gugak Center presented Samdo Seoljanggu, fan dance and Daedong Nori. Lebanon’s Hayakel Baalbeck performed dabke, a traditional group dance from the Levant. The troupe also took part in a welcoming performance during the pope’s visit to Lebanon last December.

Choi Sung-soo, secretary-general of the Korea-Arab Society, called the performance “a special occasion where Korean traditions and Arab dance come together.” He said it would give the public a chance to experience Lebanese culture and art up close, which many people rarely have an opportunity to encounter. Hayakel Baalbeck is scheduled to perform in Gwangju on the 8th and at Gyeongju Expo Park on the 10th.

“

It will be an opportunity for people to experience Lebanese culture and art up close, which they rarely encounter in their daily lives.