ANOTHER SEASON FOR MASS GAMES:
WHY THEY'RE SO IMPORTANT FOR KOREA?

Mayday stadium

The origin of the Arirang mass gymnastic performance may be traced back to the Koguryo(Goguryeo) Dynasty, which existed from BC 277 to AD 668, one of the strongest kingdoms in a vast area covering most of the Korean peninsula and northeast China; when thirty-five kingdoms rose and fell in China during this period. Koguryo's aggressive troops conquered neighboring tribes one after another, and they even occupied China's Lolang outposts. In c. 220 B.C., under Qin Shi Huang, sections of earlier fortifications were joined together to form a united defence system, "the Great Wall", intended to protect against invasions from the north - the Koguryo dynasty.

The most important remains of this rich civilization are fortresses, ruins of palaces and Buddhist temples, and tombs steles. Perhaps the most spectacular example of Koguryo culture can be seen in the tombs and their mural paintings. According to Koguryo religious beliefs, the soul was immortal and would continue living long after the body died. So the Koguryo people arranged their burial chambers like houses, and decorated their tombs with images of the luxurious life that awaited them after death. These paintings offer a unique testimony to daily life of this period and a custom that has been handed down to now daily lifestyles of Koreans.

Hyonmu (tortoise and snake), one of the four gods, in a Kangso Tumulus

They vividely demonstrate the excellence of Koguryo architecture. Besides, they are extremely important in light of its relations with ancient tomb murals, Jilin in China and Takamatsuzuka in Nara Prefecture, Japan,Koguryo paintings exerted a great influence on the paintings of Paekje and Silla, also feudal Korean states, and paved the way to the development of the ancient and medieval Japanese paintings.

People of Koguryo(Goguryeo) 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. People of Koguryo(Goguryeo) 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. Hunting was also an important pastime. Interested individuals would form large-scale hunting squads, and run up and down mountains and across open fields. They would set up shooting targets and hold archery-shooting contests. Those with outstanding archery skills were named "Jumong," the nickname of King Chumo who founded the kingdom, a tag of honor. Meanwhile, young people would take academic as well as archery lessons at "gyeongdang," an educational institution, receiving a balanced training that eventually paved the way for the kingdom to foster strong military power.

 

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 Koryo Kingdom(918-1392), Chosun 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.

Anak #3 Tomb With Murals of Hand-hitting game(Su-bak) (late part of the 4th C. ) Koguryeo Kingdom period		Tomb With Murals of Wrestling (late part of the 4th C. ) Koguryeo Kingdom period

Todays Taekwondo and SSireum(Wrestling)

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.

Pyongyang IV, 2007, At the Frieze evening auction, Sotheby, October 15, 2010,

Andreas Gursky photographs(Arirang Mass Gymnastic and Arts Performance),carrying an irrevocable bid (meaning the work had a third-party guarantorwho would either purchase the work or share in the upside should it be taken higher),Pyongyang IV, 2007, sold for $1.3m (est $500,000 to $700,000).

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.

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge has praised improvements in Korea's martial art Taekwondo as an Olympic sport. Highlighting the modern and powerful aspects of the sport, he said Taekwondo had advanced since the 2000 Sydney Olympics when it first became an Olympic event. The comments came at the launch for a newly expanded office of the World Taekwondo Federation in Lausanne, Switzerland, May 11, 2009.

A trip to the North Korea is the trip of a lifetime, if you need any help deciding the tour for you then please don't hesitate to get in touch. We are happy to answer all of your questions. we give all tourists a pre-tour briefing in Shenyang or in Dandong, China to ensure you are fully prepared for - and will get the most out of - this unique trip.

We warmly welcome you and cordially invite U.S. citizens to visit our country. We look forward to seeing you in Pyongyang.