GANGNEUNG CITY ENG - 솔향강릉

-Audiences connecting with meaningful locations in Gangneung, including Gangneung Art Center, hospices, hotels, and cafes-​

 The 1st Hasla International Festival of the Arts (HASLA, artistic director Cho Jae-hyuk), hosted and organized by the Hasla International Festival of the Arts and Gangneung Art Center (director, Shim Gyu-man), is set to open with the first performance of ‘The Beginning’ at 5pm on the 13th (Sunday).

 The arts festival aims to further establish Gangneung as a city of culture and art through various arts, including classical music.  

 This large-scale festival, which will be held for eight days from October 13th (Sunday) to the 20th (Sunday), will make full use of Gangneung’s unique heritage, being held at Gangneung Art Center and other locations rich in history and spirit, embracing the heritage of the region.  

 Starting with the opening performance on the 13th (Sunday), Gangneung Art Center will host eight diverse performances during the festival period, including classical music, chamber music, orchestral music, songs, and ballet. 

 In particular, performances that highlight the arts festival’s theme of ‘connection’ include ‘Unexpected Combinations’ on the 17th (Thursday), which features a combination of exotic instruments such as toy pianos and organs, and ‘Two Noble Goddesses’ on the 18th (Friday), which blends music and dance. 

 On the 15th (Tuesday), 17th (Thursday), and 18th (Friday), free performances will be held at Chodang St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Galbari Clinic, and Cafe Manu, strengthening ties with Gangneung residents and supporting the Gangneung-based festival.  

 Artistic director Cho Jae-hyuk remarked, “Just as the main concerts at Gangneung Art Center are important, the outreach performances that connect more closely with the community are also significant. These performances allow both the audience and the performers to feel in unison that the Hasla International Festival of Arts belongs to Gangneung, and that art exists for everyone”. 

 The festival will end with the closing performance of ‘Viva Hasla!’ on the 17th (Sunday) with Gangneung Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Chun Min and world-renowned pianist Sun Woo-ye-kwon, on stage performing Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9, ‘From the New World’, creating a splendid finale.

 Director Shim Gyu-man remarked, “I think it is very meaningful to hold an arts festival that puts the old name of Gangneung first,”. He added, “We will make it a festival beloved by Gangneung citizens and move forward as an ‘international festival’, both important goals”. 

 Tickets for the 1st Hasla International Festival of Arts can be purchased via the Gangneung Arts Center website and Interpark  ​