International percussion festival kicks off in Sacheon next week

About 40 percussion groups from 13 countries will participate in this year’s Sacheon International Percussion Festival to be held at the Samcheonpo Daegyo Park in the southern coastal city of Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, from Aug. 2-5.

On the beautiful backdrop of Hallyeo Maritime National Park percussionists from Turkey, China, Japan, Taiwan and nine other countries will show off their skills and unique music every night from 6 to 11 p.m.

Participating teams include Touba Afria of Senegal, Group Tami from Japan, Nayeuba of Mali, Strike Percussion from New Zealand, Diplomats of Drum from Malaysia, China’s China Weifang Culture Group, Ten Drum Art Percussion from Taiwan, Mariachi Latin from Mexico, and Lumo from Russia.

Programs will also include an opening ceremony, a percussion music competition, an academic symposium, world folk games, a trial of percussion instruments and intangible cultural heritages.

Local musicians and foreign visitors will also have chances to perform in the fringe performance area and taste traditional food from the world during the festival period.

For more information, call (055) 835-6493 or visit the website www.sccf.or.kr. (Yonhap News)