Korea evokes solidarity in Colombians. During the Korean War, 639 Colombian soldiers gave their lives for the freedom of Korea. This is why we often hear, Korea and Columbia are strong allies.

Today, there are various movies, music, theater, and dance that makes up part of the Korean Wave, and the expansion of intellectual Korean culture is creating a dynamic and modern Korea. Not long ago, I visited Spain to strengthen exchanges with the country. During the trip, I had visited the Korea Culture Center that had opened in Madrid. The Korea Culture Center was located on a very pretty and bright two-story building on Paseo de la Castellana road. There, I was able to see the exhibition of Korean traditional culture from traditional dress (Hanbok) to handcrafted works. I was able to see the latest works of Korean artists at the library, video tape and record archives. My attention was focused on works of Korean movie directors Ki-duk KIM, Chan-wook PARK, and Joon-ho BONG among others. At the library, I found 『Toji』 (The Land) to be interesting, which is a shaman epic poem by Kyung-ni PARK. Finally, as for music, I was able to find the gem called ''Baramgot.''

Our ties with Korea began with our participation in PAMS in 2010. As we participated in PAMS 2010, we invited Korea as a guest country in 2011’s 33rd International Manizales Festival. The following performances were invited: Baramgot''s Baramgot''s Concert, modern dance group Modern Table''s Darkness Poom-Ba and Awake, and Yegam Inc.''s Jump. Among those, we were able to intimately feel Baramgot as we have been continuously meeting and researching Korea since 2010.

Baramgot concert was held for two days from September 11th to 12th at Teatro Los Fundadores, which is a theater that had opened in 1965 and considered the historic center of Manizales region. Baramgot''s dreamy atmosphere captivated the audience, and its outstanding music harmonized traditional culture and the new to create a complete picture of current Korea in our imagination. Also, before the Manizales Festival, the two day concert at Teatro Pablo Tobón Uribe which is located in Medellin was also successful. After experiencing the music of Baramgot, the audience gave their reaction as "fascinating, filled with peace and love." The critics praised the performance as one of the best musical performances not only in the International Manizales Festival, but also in the entire city. The communication of the modern and the traditional is probably one of the most important trends and changes in the world of art. Through Baramgot, Korea''s modern and the traditional are communicating, and this current stage is the shape of Korean performance art. Furthermore, it is telling us that Korean performing arts has positioned itself in the center of the trend in cultural arts.

Baramgot, the thread that connects heaven and earth
Il WON, the director of Baramgot, is connected to nature through the characteristics of Baramgot, and he said that he doesn''t use metal instruments. The harmony of Baramgot is music created by Korean traditional instruments (gayageum, geomungo, daegeum, jangu, etc.), but it is the result of a special blend harmonized by Asian tradition and music of the world.

[El Colombiano]
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Baramgot concert consists of a fantastic and perfect stage in harmony with the music. The opportunity for Colombian audiences to see Asia unfold their stage to the world is rare. This performance is excellent and significant that it has been shown in Europe and all over the world. Baramgot performance is innovative performing arts, and it is creating new sounds as it introduces modern and progressive forms.

[Arte en la Red]
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