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Tafadzwa Zimoyo Senior Arts Reporter
The week-long Korea Festival in Zimbabwe, which was held to celebrate Korean arts and culture, focusing on traditional music, dance and food, fusing it with local arts, ended on a high note at the Korean ambassador residence in Highlands, with great performances by an all-female dance group from Korea, Artfield.

The festival also hailed musicians like Jah Prayzah and Alick Macheso for their tremendous efforts in the music industry. Artfield, the group led by the director, HUR Sung Jae in collaboration with AfriKera Arts Trust of Zimbabwe and Music Crossroads put up a scintillating show before hosting training workshop at Meikles House. Afrikera and Artfield dance groups played the Sam go mu- Korean traditional drums showing their skills and talents which was part and parcel of the cultural exchange. Another group which showcased during the festival was the music ensemble named Dasrum which shone at Reps Theatre.

Dasrum, accompanied by its director and composer, YU Eun Sun, played nine different traditional instruments like the Gayageum which is a stringed instrument that produces different sounds, the Haegeum — the Korean version of a violin, the Daegeum — traditional flute, the Janggu- an hour glass drum and the Kkwaenggwari which is a popular percussion instrument.

The group also surprised locals when they did their rendition of Jah Prayzah’s, “Mdhara Achauya” before being joined by mbira songstress Hope Masike. During their stay the two groups, Artfield and Dasrum, had an opportunity to enjoy Zimbabwe arts and culture and experience the beauty of what the country has to offer. They visited the balancing rocks in Epworth as well as the country’s sculpture galleries.

Another major highlight was the movie night held at The Venue under the KOICA Alumni Association in Zimbabwe (KAZZ) Movie Night. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Korean counsellor/DCM Kim Sangil said it was a fruitful festival as Zimbabwe and Korea exchanged notes on arts and culture.

“Zimbabwe is a beautiful country full of peace, loving people and great potential in terms of arts. I have learnt a lot and so far in terms of music, I have listened to Alick Macheso and Jah Prayzah who are so talented. Thank you all those who managed to come to the festival and witness what I feel is a treasure in art. Now we are about to prepare for the winter games scheduled to take place next year February,” he said.