The Korean Cultural Center in Turkey successfully hosted a mesmerizing performance by the National Orchestra of Korea on September 27, presenting "KOREAN SOUND" to enthusiastic audiences in Ankara. This cultural event was organized as part of the Touring K-Arts program, with support from South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE).
For this special performance, the National Orchestra of Korea, which serves as the resident company of the National Theater of Korea, carefully selected 11 talented performers through internal auditions from among its 45 young training members. These musicians were chosen specifically to represent Korean traditional music on the international stage and showcase the rich cultural heritage of their homeland to Turkish audiences.
The "KOREAN SOUND" concert featured an impressive repertoire of six pieces encompassing both traditional Korean music and chamber music compositions. The highlight of the evening was a specially arranged medley that beautifully combined Korean and Turkish folk songs, created specifically as a tribute to the growing number of Hallyu (Korean Wave) fans throughout Turkey. This thoughtful musical fusion demonstrated the cultural bridge being built between the two nations through artistic expression.
Turkish audience members were treated to the enchanting sounds of authentic Korean traditional instruments, including the gayageum (Korean zither), daegeum (large bamboo flute), geomungo (six-stringed zither), piri (double reed instrument), haegeum (two-stringed fiddle), and daeajaeng (large gong). These instruments, each with their unique tonal qualities and historical significance, provided Turkish Hallyu fans with a deeply moving and culturally immersive experience that went far beyond their previous exposure to Korean popular culture.
The local Turkish audience demonstrated remarkable appreciation for the traditional Korean sounds and melodies, listening with focused attention throughout each musical piece. Their engagement was evident as applause filled the concert hall at the conclusion of every performance, with the enthusiastic response reflecting both admiration for the musical artistry and a sense of longing to experience more of Korean culture.
The evening's final and most memorable program featured an extraordinary medley that seamlessly blended Korea's "Taepyeongga" (a traditional Korean song expressing wishes for peace and prosperity) with the beloved Turkish folk song "Uzun İnce Bir Yoldayım" (I'm on a Long and Narrow Road). The Turkish song, which poetically compares life's continuous journey to walking day and night along an endless path, created a powerful metaphor when combined with the Korean piece. Audience members watched in genuine awe as the folk traditions of both countries harmoniously intertwined on stage, creating a vivid and emotionally resonant display of cultural unity that transcended linguistic and geographical boundaries.
