‘The Whole City is Painted with Movement’…Chuncheon Mime Festival Opens on the 24th

The city of Chuncheon is abuzz with anticipation as it prepares to host the prestigious Chuncheon International Mime Festival, an event that has cemented its status as one of the world's premier mime celebrations. From May 24th to 31st, the festival will transform various locations across Chuncheon, including the Legoland parking lot, into stages for an eight-day spectacle of artistic expression.

Under the theme 'Body Scape,' this year's festival promises a deep dive into the intricate relationship between the human body, its surrounding environment, and the web of artistic connections that bind them. This theme invites both artists and audiences to explore sensory experiences in novel ways, blurring the lines between performer and spectator, and between art and everyday life.

A cornerstone of the festival, the 'Asurajang' water play event, will once again bring citizens together in a unique, participatory experience. This year marks a significant transition for 'Asurajang,' as it will be the last time the event unfolds on the Central Road stage, a tradition since 2006. From next year onwards, the festivities will move to the 'Movement Theater Momjit' (Festival Theater Body).

The festival's program is rich and diverse, featuring a series of captivating performances at the Movement Theater Momjit from May 24th to 28th. These will showcase five distinct works that explore the human body through mime, contemporary dance, circus, and clowning. Evenings will come alive with 'Festival Salon' events, offering intimate opportunities for the public to engage with participating artists, including Festival Artistic Director Lee Dooseong, discussing art, performance, and the festival itself.

“

This year marks the 38th Chuncheon Mime Festival, and based on its long history, it has been loved by many artists and audiences both domestically and internationally. I hope everyone who participates in the festival becomes a mime artist who carves out their own story and makes Chuncheon a city of mime in May.

Extending beyond the main venues, the festival will also bring performances directly into the daily lives of citizens. The 'Walking Mime' event, which has previously engaged residents along the Seoksa Stream, will now expand to Udu Park, creating new 'Chuncheon landscapes' filled with movement and laughter. Furthermore, the 'Goblin Traveling Troupe' will bring performances to universities, tourist spots, and even orphanages, ensuring that the spirit of mime reaches diverse communities.

Adding a new dimension this year is 'Art Nangjang X,' a program specifically designed for adults aged 19 and above. This experimental space promises a boundary-pushing artistic experience, encouraging participants to shed social roles and immerse themselves fully in sensory exploration—a true 'time of liberation.'

The iconic 'Goblin Nangjang,' a core content of the Chuncheon Mime Festival since 1998, is scheduled to run from the evening of May 30th to the early morning of May 31st at the Legoland parking lot. This overnight event will feature approximately 60 art groups, embodying the spirit of the mime song's lyrics: 'Starting in the moonlit night until sunrise.' The 'Mime Fringe,' a competition for emerging artists, will also be integrated into this year's Goblin Nangjang.

The festival will culminate with Artistic Director Lee Dooseong's 'Closing Mime' performance at sunrise, offering a reflective end to the artistic journey. Lee Dooseong expressed his hope that all participants would become mime artists, crafting their own stories and transforming Chuncheon into a city of mime throughout May. Chuncheon City Hall's Culture and Arts Division Head, Kim Mi-ae, highlighted the festival's significance as a participatory event created by citizens, youth, and the local community, wishing everyone a special time experiencing the festival through movement across Chuncheon.

“

The Chuncheon Mime Festival is even more meaningful as a participatory festival created by citizens, youth, and the local community. I hope that citizens and tourists alike will have a special time experiencing the festival through movement in various places in Chuncheon this year.