People gather for the spring concert at Ureuk World Music House in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, April 25. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
The annual spring music event at Ureuk World Music House on April 25 once again brought together global citizens under the theme “Open Heart Open Stage.” People sang, danced, played and shared food they had brought, potluck-style. The traditional Korean house, located at the foot of a forested hill in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, is owned by Anna Cybele, a musician originally from New York.
As always, it felt like a magical place; rural layers of green hills hugging a gorgeous hanok lovingly restored were brightened by the global artists and guests, coming originally from Korea, the U.S., Canada, Russia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Iran, Ethiopia and China.
For Cybele, the afternoon was another tale of magic in the fantasyland of Ureuk World Music House. “So many kind and happy people, strangers who instantly became friends, gathered and brought amazing home-cooked food, and sang and danced, and hugged and laughed,” she said.
Anna Cybele performs at Ureuk World Music House in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, April 25. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
Cybele, a classically trained singer, as well as a raga/jazz/pop-influenced singer-songwriter, opened the concert with her Iranian friend Amir by performing a prayer for world peace. Saying she is deeply disturbed by the war, Cybele wanted to reflect the hopeful truth that people of the world, despite their governments, love each other and always want peace.
Next, Canadian musician Peter James led the crowd in singing “Michael, Row the Boat Ashore,” a traditional spiritual dating back to the American Civil War that references the Archangel Michael bringing souls to the promised land. The song was a tribute to Michael Harrison, a dear friend and musical mentor of Cybele and and a renowned American composer and pianist, who had died on April 17.
The stage then erupted with belly dancing, ukulele, harmonica, cello, guitars, children dancing with kazoos, more handpans and Persian sufi poetry.
"Violins and 'ajaeng' (traditional Korean bowed zither) came out of their cases, but we ran out of time as the sun set and the chai was served,” Cybele said.
“Coming together in peace and love, in meaningful and fun ways, is a blessing. That’s what the annual 'Open Heart, Open Stage' is all about.”
Source: Korea Times News
