ARKO SUM FESTA was introduced last year as an integrated brand for festivals selected under the council's national performing arts festival support program. This year's edition will focus on strengthening links among participating festivals and expanding audience access to local performing arts events.
Participating festivals span theater, dance, music and traditional arts. Theater events include the Korea Theater Festival in Busan, while dance programs include the Busan Ballet Festival and the Chuncheon Performing Arts Festival. Music events include the July Festival and the Seoul International Computer Music Festival, and traditional arts festivals include the Dongnae Folk Arts Festival in Busan's Dongnae-gu district.
Ahead of the main festival period, ARKO will hold Preview Week programs in two rounds, from June 19 to 20 and from July 25 to 26. The preview programs will introduce participating festivals through showcases, workshops, exhibitions and hands-on programs.
All Preview Week events will be free of charge, though some indoor performances and workshops will require advance reservations through Naver Booking. Advance registrants will receive ARKO SUM FESTA merchandise and a coupon book for participating festivals.
The first Preview Week will begin with an opening event at the main hall of ARKO Arts Theater on June 19, featuring theater, dance, traditional arts and music performances from programs highlighted in last year's festival series.
On June 20, additional showcases, workshops, exhibitions and public participation programs will be held at ARKO Arts Theater and around Marronnier Park in Seoul.
Lee Beom-heon, chair of the Arts Council Korea, said expanding contact points with audiences is as important as developing strong festival programs.
"Through ARKO SUM FESTA, we will strengthen the promotional foundation for participating festivals and helps audiences more easily discover and enjoy performing arts festivals across the country," Lee said.
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