▲ The Gangwon 2024 K-culture festival in Gangneung was held at the Kwandong Hockey Center on the 28th of last month, and the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Provincial Dance Company is performing. The picture on the left shows the National Ballet's performance of "The Pirate of the Exhibition Ballet with Commentary."

The 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics, which was held for 14 days. In it was the 'Cultural Olympics', which shone as brightly as the athletes' runs. We look back on the various cultural events that flowed breathlessly as the games that were played nonstop.

'Peace, Coexistence, and Sustainability' = Gangwon 2024's successful hosting program was exhibited in four places around Gangneung and Pyeongchang. First of all, the "Great Stories of Saving the Earth" with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Gangwon State, and the Gangwon Cultural Foundation opened at the same time in Pyeongchang and Gangneung, major stadiums. In Pyeongchang, which showed the possibility of Gangwon digital art, it was possible to rediscover cultural values thanks to the addition of digital art to Gangwon cultural heritage through "Digital Gangwon to the Future." In particular, Noh Jin-ah's AI-based interactive sculpture "Aurora (AI Turtle)," which was popular with children, was the reason to visit Pyeongchang during Gangwon 2024.

The sea gallery "Gangwon of Symbiosis Protecting the Earth" held together at Gyeongpo Beach dealt with biodiversity and environmental issues under the theme of environmental issues and sustainability, which are global issues. As the exhibition talks about sustainability, the frames used in the work were sold in scrap metal after the exhibition was over, and the remaining materials were taken by artists.

The two exhibitions held at Gangneung Art Center tried to cross the line between disability and non-disability. First of all, Arbrü Korea Social Cooperative's "Shining Us When Together" held in the first exhibition room was deeply moved by the gathering of developmentally disabled artists based on better growth, showing their own original and colorful colors. We had different rates of growth, and our own starry moments made us realize that there is no star in the world that is beautiful.

In the 2nd and 3rd exhibition rooms, where artists with developmental disabilities from around the world gathered, artist Kim Geun-tae, the disabled, and friends from five continents gathered to hold an exhibition called "Let's Gather and Shine." The exhibition, which involved Germany, Russia, Austria, five continents, and 13 countries, made us listen to the stories told by friends of pure souls. The audience naturally learned about diversity and differences, and experienced healing through art containing messages of hope and overcoming. Moreover, it was a valuable time to realize that although artist Kim Geun-tae's eyes, who has long captured the pure laughter of intellectually disabled children, are growing blind, his brushwork to break down boundaries still continues.

A feast of embroidered art on Olympic night = The colorful stage held at the Gangneung Art Center during the Gangwon 2024 competition added heat to the competition. On the 20th of last month, Gangneung's Dream Orchestra's "Collecting Desires and Dreams" opened the Gangwon 2024 commemorative performance. The harmony of the performance with the "Gangneung Angels Choir" marked a strong start for Gangwon 2024. On the 23rd of last month, the National Contemporary Dance Company's "HIP 合" met the audience. The stage, which combines street dance, Korean traditional music, and modern dance, lit up the passion of teenagers around the world with a gesture that breaks the mold.

The colorful melody of the National Symphony Orchestra held on the 25th of last month added to the heat of the Olympics. New violinist Kim Seo-hyun drew attention at the performance on this day. Violinist Kim's solo performance, which breaks the silence of the stage, reminded me of the meaning of Gangwon 2024, the stage of teenagers' dreams. On the 26th of last month, the harmony of the National Choir filled the venue. The choir delivered the lyricism of Korean culture and art by presenting various stages ranging from Korean songs to pop songs, operas and musicals.

The aria of the National Opera resonated on the 27th of last month. Familiar songs such as "Aida," "Carmen," and "Turandot" that I've heard at least once were harmonized with the performance of the Gangneung Philharmonic Orchestra. On the 29th of last month, the "Traditional Dance & Traditional Banquet" was held at the Institute of Traditional Arts of the Korea National University of Arts. The soft curve passed down from the end of the hanbok showed the essence of Korean culture and art. The last stage of the Gangneung Art Center was decorated by the National Ballet on the 31st of last month. The ballet company announced the spectacular conclusion of the competition by organizing classical ballet's representative work, "Pirate," so that men and women of all ages can enjoy it with commentary.

K-Culture Festival and Street Performance Showing the Power of Korean Culture = In Pyeongchang and Gangneung, "K-Culture Festival" was held to promote the status of Korean pop culture around the world. The festival began on the 27th of last month with the performance of the 2nd Corps Taekwondo Demonstration Team at Pyeongchang Dome Stadium. The performances of Poppin Hyun-joon and Park Ae-ri and the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Provincial Dance Company and Harmonize Choir contain harmony between tradition and modernity. The following performances by Kim Hee-jae, Park Gun, Cho Myoung-seop, Yang Ji-eun, and Hong Ji-yoon made us realize the popularity of K-trot, which is popular at home and abroad. On the 28th of last month, Zero Base One, Bebe, Vivizi, and Dynamic Duo performed in celebration at Gangneung Hockey Center. The stage staged by K-pop artists loved by all over the world once again raised Korea's status as a cultural powerhouse.

During the Gangwon 2024 competition, street performances around the venue melted the fierce winter cold. At the special stage in front of Gangneung Hockey Center and the special stage at Jeongseon Highwonski Resort, "Youth Microphone" performances were performed by 32 young artists. The Gangneung Cultural Foundation's civic participatory cultural performance "Gangneung Festival" was also held in front of the Gangneung Hockey Center during the competition, where 22 civic art teams met the audience. Performances by civic art organizations of various ages and genders discovered the value of civic cultural heritage.