1. In six Western European countries, the team “So, Go!” selected for the Foreign Ministry’s Public Diplomacy Project of Korean Citizens promoted joyful and attractive aspects of Korean culture through Nongak (traditional Korean farmers’ music), inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This project has been planned to help the team itself to raise European citizens’ awareness about the originality and familiarity of Nongak, which is played together with audiences. The team visited famous attractions in Italy, France, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany for about one month from July 4 to August 14, and performed on the streets and participated in an international music festival. The team improved their program by performing in Myeongdong and the Nam Insa Madang before departing for Europe.

o Each show consisted of individual performances conducted with each instrument for about 2 to 3 minutes and Nongak “Pangut” for about 15 minutes. The team “So, Go!” is composed of undergraduate students who have learned to play Nongak during vacations for five years through classes run by the Gochang Nongak Preservation Society. They learned to play farmers’ musical instruments at different times, but the youngsters are united in their passion for Nongak.

2. The team “So, Go!” made its first stop in Italy and performed at Piazza Navona in Rome, Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence, and Piazza Duomo in Milan. They provided explanations on Nongak, inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, as well as its instruments and performances, through guidebooks in local languages. In Pisa, they also engaged in activities to promote the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics, including performing in promotional T-shirts.

o Especially at Piazza Navona in Rome, some audiences readily became one with the performers. Performances in Milan were covered by a local media outlet and can be watched on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ6q7hWj7Bs). In Avignon, France, the team participated in the Avignon Festival and showcased their performances. The team also performed to Nongak impromptu jointly with the performance troupe “Dong Rak Dance” which they met in the country, getting the audience more excited.

3. The Foreign Ministry is carrying out a range of public diplomacy programs where the Korean people themselves play a leading role, and will continue to actively pursue cultural diplomacy using soft power together with the people.


* unofficial translation