Photos of the Gyechon Classic Festival Photos of the Gyechon Classic Festival

2024.06.20 Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation 분량11min

Reflecting on 10 Years of The Gyechon Classic Festival: Classical Music Echoes in a Small Village

A small rural village in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, has transformed into one of the best places to enjoy classical music. Thanks to The Gyechon Classic Festival, which debuted in 2015. This festival is a result of the collaboration between the Hyundai Motor Group's Chung Mong-Koo Foundation, local residents, and the local government. In anticipation of this year’s festival, we looked back on the past decade of The Gyechon Classic Festival and its achievements.

The scene of the Gyechon Classic Festival

Gyechon, a small village in Pyeongchang with just around 2,000 residents, transforms into a sophisticated art hall filled with classical music every year. The village's picturesque landscape, serene environment, and the scent of greenery blend with beautiful classical melodies, offering an unforgettable experience. What seemed like an unlikely combination - a rural village and classical music - has created a harmonious blend of happiness. The Hyundai Motor Group's Chung Mong-Koo Foundation, the Korea National University of Arts, Pyeongchang County, and the village residents share the story of classical music in the countryside. As The Gyechon Classic Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary, let's explore its journey and future prospects.

2015: The Beginning of Classical Music in Gyechon Village

Classical music first resonated in Gyechon Village in 2015. The first Gyechon Village Classical Street Festival was themed "Cello and Pansori Meet the Village." The harmonious blend of Korea’s traditional pansori and the cello provided unforgettable summer memories. Several artists graced the event, including the renowned pansori singer Ahn Sook-sun, cellists Chung Myung-Wha and Yeo Yoon-Soo, pianist Kim Tae-Hyung, vocalist Kang Han-Bin, violinist Lee Soo-Bin, and the Seoul Youth Orchestra. Especially adding to the significance, the Gyechon Middle School Starlight Orchestra, a pride of the Gyechon village, also took the stage.

Photos of the Gyechon Classic Festival

Buoyed by the enthusiastic response from the audience, the festival continued in 2016. Once again, cellist Myung-Wha Chung and pansori singer Ahn Sook-sun graced the event. The second Gyechon Village Classical Street Festival featured a more diverse program, including performances by the Banglim Sambe-Samgut Nori troupe, Gyechon Street Music Band, classical music plays, classical music cafes, street performances, and late-night concerts under the zelkova tree.


The scene of the Gyechon Classic Festival

In 2020, the festival took a unique approach due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which prevented large gatherings. While many festivals were canceled, the Gyechon Village Classical Street Festival continued with the theme "One Sound with a Remote Distance," combining offline performances with live online broadcasts. Additionally, the Art World TV provided over 40 classical and traditional music performance videos, allowing people to enjoy cultural and artistic experiences from afar.


Various images of Gyechon Classic Festival and posters

Various images of Gyechon Classic Festival and posters

The following year, the festival's official name was changed to "The Gyechon Classic Festival." The 7th edition in 2021 featured Starlight Concerts and Park Concerts, all conducted virtually due to the pandemic. The opening performance and the late-night Starlight Concert were broadcasted live online. Furthermore, a series of 14 classical VOD content videos were produced and uploaded on YouTube's "Art Village TV."

the performance of the Gyechon Classic Festival

The 8th edition marked the festival's return to offline events after two years. The event attracted a crowd of about 5,000 people eager to enjoy the festivities. Notably, artist Seo Seong-Hyeop's "Gyechon Landscape" was installed at the Gyechon Classical Park, depicting the surrounding trees and sky, and the wind-blown Mabang Stream represented Gyechon's breeze.

the performance of the Gyechon Classic Festival

Last year's 9th Gyechon Classic Festival moved from summer to spring, with the spring rain complementing the classical melodies, creating an indescribable emotional experience. The festival, a collaboration between the Hyundai Motor Group's Chung Mong-Koo Foundation, the Korea National University of Arts, Pyeongchang County, and the village residents, offered a wide range of activities that brought classical music closer to people of all ages.

Small Efforts Leading to Positive Change

the performance of the Gyechon Classic Festival

Art has the power to bring about significant changes, transcending time and ideology, and serving as a medium for sharing emotions. In the presence of art, factors like religion, occupation, age, and status become irrelevant. However, access to art is not equally distributed, often hindered by economic and geographic barriers.

Various aspects of Gchon Classic Festival

Since 2015, the Hyundai Motor Group's Chung Mong-Koo Foundation, in collaboration with the Korea National University of Arts, has been working on a project to ensure that no one is excluded from cultural and artistic experiences. The Art Village Project aims to promote regional culture and spread cultural and artistic enjoyment in daily life, offering equal opportunities for cultural engagement and improving the quality of life; The Gyechon Classic Festival was born out of this initiative.

A view of the village where the Gyechon Classic Festival is held

Gyechon Village, located in Banglim-myeon, Pyeongchang County, Gangwon Province, is a small rural village with fewer than 2,000 residents. Like many rural areas, Gyechon faced population decline, with the number of students dwindling. In 2009, Gyechon Elementary School faced the threat of closure. To prevent this, the Starlight Orchestra, comprising all students, was established. This initiative was extended to Gyechon Middle School.

Children who prepare the performance and performance of Gchon Classic Festival

The Hyundai Motor Group's Chung Mong-Koo Foundation and the Korea National University of Arts focused on the Starlight Orchestra. In 2015, Gyechon Village was selected for the Art Village Project, initiating significant changes. The project supported 26 annual orchestra education sessions and various cultural classes. With the added support of local governments, the village gained a new vibrancy, demonstrating the positive impact of public-private-academic collaboration.

various aspects of Gyechon Classic Festival

The once quiet mountain village of Gyechon transformed significantly with the start of the Art Village Project. Visitors flocking to the Gyechon Classic Festival rejuvenated the village. Music now constantly plays through street speakers, and local products are branded as being grown in a village where classical music thrives. The village's walls are adorned with piano key murals, and newly established Gyechon Classical Park and Classical Field, along with various sculptures, contribute to the artistic atmosphere. Additionally, new shops have sprung up, contributing to the growth of the local culture.


the performance of the Gyechon Classic Festival

The Gyechon Classic Festival has received an enthusiastic response, with the number of visitors significantly increasing. Over the past nine years, the festival has attracted approximately 140,000 visitors. This initiative, which started as part of the Art Village Project, has brought life to the quiet village. The small steps taken to prevent the closure of the school and the launch of the Starlight Orchestra, combined with the Art Village Project, have resulted in significant and positive changes.

Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation: Its Efforts for the Development of K-Classics

the performance of the Gyechon Classic Festival

The Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation is deeply committed to the development of K-Classics. Through various initiatives, including the Art Village Project, they continue to support talent in the fields of classical music, Korean traditional music, and dance. One prominent example is the cultural and artistic talent scholarship program under the Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Scholarship. This program provides generous support to talented middle and high school students and college students who have shown potential in these fields. Each semester, scholarships are awarded, along with opportunities to experience the global stage. For students with talent but few opportunities, the foundation acts as a benefactor, much like a benevolent sponsor.

계촌 클래식 축제의 공연 모습

The Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation focuses on discovering talent for a reason. Fields like classical music, traditional Korean music, and dance require significant financial investment. The costs of instruments, stage costumes, and video production for international competitions add to the educational expenses. Many students, despite their talent, have had to give up their dreams due to financial constraints. The foundation aims to help these students pursue their dreams without such barriers.

계촌 클래식 축제의 공연 모습

The cultural and artistic talent program under the Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Scholarship is designed with a structured growth path for classical music talents. This includes the OnDream Ensemble, OnDream Artists, and support for international exposure. Each year, 40 students are selected and receive full tuition coverage, learning support expenses, competition expenses, and global scholarships. The OnDream Ensemble offers master classes and mentoring sessions to enhance their skills, and chamber music series and concert experiences are part of the education. OnDream Artists are given opportunities to enhance their capabilities as soloists, with support for recital promotion and venue arrangements. For those advancing to international schools, institutions, or organizations, the foundation provides living expenses and opportunities to plan special global programs.

Celebrating a Decade of The Gyechon Classic Festival

The Gyechon Classic Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, marking a decade of significant change. The festival promises to be grander and more diverse this year, welcoming audiences with a variety of events from May 31 to June 2 at Gyechon Classical Park and the Gyechon Village Starlight Stage. The festival includes the Park Concerts, the Starlight Concert, and the Midnight Concert.

the performance of the Gyechon Classic Festival

In addition to the performances, there are interactive programs such as a pre-lecture series titled ‘Classical Music Cafe’ to introduce the concert repertoire, the Gyechon Music Run where participants can enjoy classical music while running through the village, and activities like engraving climate messages on personal items. The local government has prepared house concerts and Gyechon Street concerts to offer even more entertainment. An archive exhibition will showcase the festival's history, allowing visitors to reflect on its journey.

My 10th valley poster poster

 To celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Gyechon Classic Festival, renowned artists will be participating. The first day's Starlight Concert will feature pianist Paik Kun-Woo, performing with the village's pride, the Starlight Orchestra. On June 1, the Park Concert will feature bass-baritone Samuel Youn and soprano Park So-Young, while the Starlight Concert will see performances by pianist Lee Jin-Sang and the KNUA Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jung Chi-Yong. On the final day, June 2, the OnDream Ensemble, comprised of Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation scholars, will perform. The closing performance will feature world-renowned pianist Cho Seong-Jin and conductor Kim Sun-Wook, alongside the Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra.

the back of a man playing the piano

The anticipation for this year's festival has been immense. Online pre-registration for tickets saw a record 17,000 applicants, the highest in the festival's history. According to Rankify, a keyword trend ranking service, The Gyechon Classic Festival ranked first in the nationwide festival trend index for May, establishing itself as Korea's leading outdoor classical music festival.

 

Thanks to the efforts of the Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation, the Korea National University of Arts, the local government, and village residents, the once quiet Gyechon Village has regained its vibrancy and transformed into a prominent festival venue in Korea. This collective effort has created a cultural and artistic space that all generations can enjoy. If you wish to experience the beautiful melodies of classical music amidst the serene landscape of Gangwon Province, Gyechon Village is the place to be. The Gyechon Classic Festival promises unforgettable emotions and memories at the doorstep of summer.