Loud drums and taekwondo: the culture and sports traditions of Sakhalin Koreans were presented at the RUSSIA EXPO
On May 2, a cultural and sports show of Sakhalin Koreans was
held at the Exposition. Its participants were representatives of the Hanyl
drumming ensemble and the Tornado taekwondo sport club.
The event began with a story about the Sakhalin region and
the Sakhalin Koreans, who are the second largest ethnic group on the island.
"Sakhalin Koreans have become so deeply integrated into
society that it is no longer possible to separate them. Korean culture and
traditional sports have become an integral part and dignity of the Sakhalin
region. The ensemble features two types of percussion instruments.
"Changu" — a drum in the shape of an hourglass, symbolizing rain, and
"buk" — a drum in the shape of a barrel flattened on both sides,
performing the bass part and signifying clouds," said Konstantin
Kovalenko, host of the Far Eastern Panorama and the event.
The performance was opened by Korean drummers of the Hanyl
ensemble, who presented two numbers in the nantabuk style. Among other things,
they performed the composition "Modyn Buk" — a battle march that
raises morale. In between, taekwondo practitioners performed "Taegeuk Sa
Jang", the elements of which symbolize thunder and strength.
The Sakhalin ensemble Hanyl is known for its numbers that
include dancing, dressing up and performing famous melodies. However, the main
genre "Samulnori" serves as the basis for the performance. In Korean,
the word Samulnori means "playing four instruments". The sound of
these instruments symbolizes rain, thunder, lightning and wind.
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