Italian Renaissance Court Dance Meets Korean Royal Traditions

The Deoksugung Palace Management Office, under the Cultural Heritage Administration’s Palaces and Tombs Division, is set to host a unique dance performance titled "Dancing Italy, Dancing Korea: Renaissance Period and Today's Encounter" on August 18 at 5:30 PM.

The event, held in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute in Seoul, will take place in front of the fountain at Seokjojeon Hall in Deoksugung Palace, Seoul.

This special performance marks the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Italy and aims to deepen cultural ties between the two nations while celebrating the artistic value of their shared cultural heritage.

The evening will begin with a performance by the Italian dance troupe La Rossignol, who will recreate the elegant and stylized court dances of the Italian Renaissance. Dressed in traditional attire and accompanied by period instruments, the dancers will transport the audience back to the grandeur of Renaissance court life.

Following this, students from Deokwon Arts High School will perform Pogurak, a traditional Korean court dance originally performed at royal banquets during the Joseon Dynasty. The dance, which involves throwing a ball into a hole, will offer a fascinating glimpse into Korea’s royal entertainment traditions.

The highlight of the evening will be a joint performance that imagines what it would be like if dancers from the Renaissance era in both Italy and Korea were to meet and dance together in the present day.

La Rossignol is renowned for its expertise in Italian Renaissance dance, and this collaboration with Korean performers is expected to create a unique and captivating fusion of Eastern and Western court dance traditions.

The event is free and open to the public, although Deoksugung Palace admission fees apply. For more information, visitors can contact the Deoksugung Palace Management Office at 02-751-0740.

The Deoksugung Palace Management Office hopes that this performance will showcase the beauty of traditional and Western architecture in harmony, with the elegance of Italian Renaissance dance creating a distinctive and charming stage. They also plan to continue collaborating with various organizations to provide more opportunities for high-quality cultural activities at Korea’s palaces in the future.