National Gugak Center
Jongmyo Jeryeak
The Court Music Orchestra and Dance Theatre of the National Gugak Center in Seoul bring a centuries-old traditional Korean ancestral ceremony to Berlin. Jongmyo Jeryeak is a multi-genre art work that combines instrumental music, singing, dancing and costumes. This visiting performance takes place to mark the 50th anniversary of the Korean-German Cultural Agreement.
Jongmyo Jeryeak performance in National Gugak Center, Korea
© National Gugak Center
Past Dates
For some six centuries, the royal families of the Joseon dynasty held Jongmyo Jerye ceremonies to worship past kings, to inspire contemplation of and respect for the nation’s founding principles and to create harmony. Jongmyo Jeryeak rites were performed in magnificent and elegant ceremonies at the Confucian shrine dedicated to past kings, the Jongmyo, which is considered a milestone in the development of traditional Korean architecture.
Jongmyo Jeryeak, which represents the essence of palace culture during the Joseon Kingdom, has been preserved for posterity by the National Gugak Center (NGC) in Seoul. As Korea’s representative institution for traditional art forms, the NGC maintains the tradition of the Jangakwon, the academy of court music from the Joseon era.
Jongmyo Jeryeak was added to UNESCO’s list of Masterpieces of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2001.
The Jongmyo Jeryeak performances in Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne and Munich that are part of this year’s tour by the National Gugak Center – with some 80 performers – are held to mark the 50th anniversary of the Korean-German Cultural Agreement.
Concert Programme
Jongmyo Jeryeak
Traditional Korean ancestral ceremony from the Joseon dynasty (1392 – 1910)
with music, song, dance and costumes
Guest performance by the National Gugak Center (Seoul/Korea)
Cast
National Gugak Center
Court Music Orchestra of NGC
Sang-won LEE director
Dance Theatre of NGC
Jeong-suk YU director
Jongmyo Jeryeak
© National Gugak Center Korea