Australian performers to come to S. Korea in spring

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SEOUL, April 21 (Yonhap) -- Australian artists and performers from
family-friendly venues will come to South Korea next month as part of the two
countries' efforts to increase cultural exchanges, Australian Embassy officials
in Seoul said Tuesday.
Nine internationally-recognized groups, including "Strange Fruit," "Snuff
Puppets," "Man of Steel" and "Windmill Performing Arts," will go on stage at art
festivals and art centers throughout South Korea, starting with the Uijeongbu
Music Theater Festival on May 2.
"Culture defines our identity," Jeff Robinson, deputy head of operations at the
Australian Embassy in Seoul, told a press gathering Tuesday. "This is going to be
a very important event in further development of Korea-Australian cultural
exchanges. Our relationship will certainly continue to deepen and consolidate."
"Australian art has a unique flavor," art director Roger Rynd of the Latt
Children's Theater in Seoul said, adding Australian plays for children are very
"closely connected to the mainstream performances" for adults. The Latt
Children's Theater, launched in Seoul in 2002, produces English language plays
for young audiences.
South Korea has been selected as one of the "focus countries" by the Australia
International Culture Council as the two countries will celebrate the 50th
anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2011.
In return, the South Korean government plans to increase participation in
upcoming cultural events in Australia, mainly the biennial Australian Performing
Arts Market and the Adelaide Fringe.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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