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.

Photo: Anatoly Medved/RIA News

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.