ANOTHER SEASON FOR MASS GAMES:
WHY THEY'RE SO IMPORTANT FOR KOREA?
 A new version of the extravaganza "Arirang Mass Gymnastic game show" will run between August 4 and September 30th, 2008.
The upcoming season will mark the sixth anniversary since the first Arirang Game Show, featuring 100,000 performing artists, debuted May Day Stadium, Pyongyang in April 2002.
Mayday stadium
The origin of the Arirang mass gymnastic performance may be traced back to the Koguryeo dynasty(277 B.C.-668 A.D.).. People of Koguryeo were fond of dancing and singing. Living in a high-pressure society, which had to fight wars constantly, whose rules and laws were stringent, citizens at all levels understandably needed a way to relax and engaged in such festive activities as drinking, singing and dancing. Unlike the memorial services of the Chinese, characterized by rigid formalities and solemn appearances designed to stir up the fear of gods, Koguryeo's events and ceremonies provided a forum of festivity where people mingled with one another, engaging in drinking, singing and dancing in celebration of the "gods' descent to this world."
Other popular pastime activities in the Koguryeo period included games like ssireum ("sumo") and a bare-hand duel called "subak." Subak eventually evolved into Taekwondo, Korea's most well known martial art, as the sport passed through the Koryeo Kingdom(918-1392), Choseon Kingdom(1392-1910) and survives today. People also enjoyed circuses from Central Asia, listening to musical performances, or playing musical instruments like the six-string Korean zither or flute, a custom that has been handed down to now and forms the Arirang Mass Gymnastic Arts Show.
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Anak #3 Tomb With Murals of Hand-hitting game(Su-bak)
(late part of the 4th C. )
Koguryeo Kingdom period |
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Tomb With Murals of Wresting
(late part of the 4th C. )
Koguryeo Kingdom period |
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| Susan-ri Tomb With Murals of circus (The 5ThC), Koguryeo Kingdom Period |
After liberation, our mass game rapidly developed in popular gymnastics. The mass game contest is held every other year between school of different categories, counties and provinces. The mass game which at first was held with the participation of 1,000 children or so in schools gradually came to be arranged embracing the whole country. By now it has developed into a large-scale one with the participation of 100,000 performing artists including winners of international and national contests, athletes, young people and children.
It was fragmentary in plot but now gives an epic representation. Mass game is an overall mass gymnastics characterized by deep ideological content, a high degree of organization and discipline, considerable artistic merit and gymnastic skills and can be said to be congenial to our national disposition.
The extravaganza performance with the folk song "Arirang" as its theme song depicts epically the past and present of the DPRK that put an end to distress-torn history and rose as a socialist state -- -independent in politics, self-supporting in the economy and self-reliant in defense. It is a masterpieces ,and the greatest show on the earth to be seen only in the DPRK. It consists of prelude, four chapters, thirteen sections and the finale.
The performance impresses the audience by representing the resourcefulness and stamina of the Korean nation that has long developed Taekwon-Do, an orthodox martial art, traditional Korean folk dance, dashing gymnastic movements and breathtaking acrobatics. Splendid artistic performance, a wonderful display of flashcards, large screen and laser illumination are all combined. The extravaganza will give foreigners and overseas Koreans a better understanding of Korean arts, music and dance. These along with very polite, courteous and friendly people are welcoming you for your experience in the land of the morning calm.
The mass gymnastic and artistic performance "Arirang" has been registered in Guinness World Records on August 14, 2007.
We warmly welcome you and cordially invite U.S. citizens to visit our country. We look forward to seeing you in Pyongyang.
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