Busan is good

16 Years Later, the Korea Theater Festival Returns to Busan with the Opening of the 44th Korea Theater Festival

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Mayor Park Heong-joon, announced that it will host the 44th Korea Theater Festival (hereinafter referred to as "the Festival") in collaboration with the Korea Theater Association from July 1 to 26 for 26 days at Busan Cinema Center, Busan Citizens Hall, Geumjeong Cultural Center, Busan Cultural Center, Baegyang Cultural Arts Center, Gaon Art Hall, and other venues.

The Festival is the nation's largest theater festival, originating from the National Local Theater Festival first held in Busan in 1983. It has served as a driving force in the history of Korean theater by promoting the development and exchange of regional theater. This year's Festival is especially meaningful as it returns to Busan for the first time in 16 years.

Previous editions hosted in Busan include the 1st National Local Theater Festival (1983), the 15th National Theater Festival (1997), and the 28th National Theater Festival (2010).

This year's opening ceremony will take place at 8:00 p.m. on July 1 at the Busan Cinema Center Roof Theater.

The opening performance will be the original musical Je祭-eo, Je (Eo, Je) and Today. The production presents the history of Korean theater in a single stage performance, tracing its evolution from the introduction of Sinpa theater during the Japanese colonial period to the 1st Korea Theater Festival in 1977, the National Local Theater Festival launched in Busan in 1983, and ultimately today's Korea Theater Festival.

The production is designed as a symbolic performance connecting the past, present, and future of Korean theater by dramatically portraying the achievements of key figures who contributed to the development of Korean theater alongside the growth of regional theater across the country.

In addition to the fiercely contested main competition featuring representative theater companies from 16 cities and provinces, this year's Festival offers a rich and multidimensional program that includes the International Directors Showcase, where overseas directors collaborate with Busan theater companies, a Networking Festival for emerging theater artists, and a variety of side events in which citizens can actively participate.

The main competition, featuring representative theater companies from 16 cities and provinces nationwide, serves as the Festival's signature program, presenting outstanding theatrical productions from across Korea while showcasing both the current state and future direction of Korean theater.

The International Directors Showcase presents productions jointly created by overseas directors and Busan theater companies. The program is expected to explore opportunities for expanding regional theater onto the international stage while further establishing Busan as a global performing arts city.

Actor Yoo Jae-myung, who is from Busan, will serve as the Festival's honorary ambassador, while actor Ko In-beom will chair the promotional committee, helping raise public awareness of the Festival's significance and encouraging greater public interest and participation.

Tickets for Festival performances are available through Waddama Ticket (waddamaticket.imweb.me). Detailed information and the full schedule can be found on the Festival's official website at ktf365.org.

Cho Yu-jang, Director General of the Culture Bureau of Busan Metropolitan City, said, "It is especially meaningful that the Korea Theater Festival is returning to Busan, where it first began, after 16 years. We hope this year's Festival will provide a stage where theater artists from across the country can share their creative passion and serve as a catalyst for a new leap forward in Korean theater."

He added, "Busan Metropolitan City will continue to provide unwavering support for the growth of the performing arts, including theater, while further strengthening its standing as a global cultural city."