Jeongseon Arirang Performance (정선아리랑극 공연)

“Jeongseon Arirang Performance” is a dramatized version of Jeongseon Ariang, the origin of the Korean folk song Arirang designated as Intangible Cultural Asset No. 1 of Gangwon province. This performance with Korea’s characteristic composition is meaningful in that it introduces the artistic superiority of the folk song and Korean traditional culture to not only domestic but also foreign tourists. “Jeongseon Arirang Performance,” which started in 1999 and was selected as Standing Cultural Tourism Program in 2000, has a long history. In particular, “Pan-Arirang” which began to be performed in 2015 sings joys and sorrows of the Korean people satirically and humorously, resonating with the audience. The performance will grow as a global cultural content through the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and contribute to the globalization of Jeongseon Arirang.Synopsis“Pan-Arirang” of Jeongseon Arirang Performance focuses on the journey of raft drivers who sing Arirang songs when rowing. The performance which consists of 3 parts is performed by Jeongseong Arirang Performing Art Company. Act one and two express the tough journey from Auraji River in Jeongseon to Yoengwol and Mapo, while act three shows hardships, joys, and sorrows of the people who participated in reconstruction of the Gyeongbokgung Palace. The performance shows how Jeongseon Arirang has become Korea’s representative folk song, giving the audience an opportunity to think about the value and meaning of Jeongseon Arirang. After the performance, audience can visit Arirang Museum, Gangwon-do’s first museum of modern and contemporary history, for free to have a better understanding of Jeongseon Arirang.