International Mask Dance Festival in South Korea
[www.ntdtv.com 2011-10-25 ]
Each year in October, thousands of Koreans gather to experience dance performances from all over the world. The Andong International Mask Dance Festival showcases and celebrates the ancient art of dancing with masks.
The festival is big day out for families from all over Korea.
In recent years this once local festival has evolved into a celebration of world mask-dance culture.
[Kim Youngja, Festival Visitor]:
“We can learn about other cultures from TV but being able to see them and experience them in person is completely different.”
Among the overseas acts who made the journey this year is a group of students and teachers from the National Taiwan College of Performing Arts.
[Taiwanese Dancer]:
“I think that it is really fantastic to experience the sharing of skills and culture, between both countries. “
Remarkably, in this age of iPods and high definition TV, these ancient dances still have the power to move.
Jarrod Hall, NTD News, Andong, South Korea.