A symphonic concert will be held to commemorate the 213th anniversary of Venezuela's Independence on July 5, 1811. This cultural initiative aims to strengthen the bonds of friendship between Venezuela and South Korea through music. The event will take place on Friday, July 5, 2024, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Seongbuk Cultural Foundation - Arirang Cine Center in Seoul, Republic of Korea.
The concert will be co-directed by the Directors of the Seoul Dream Orchestra and the Vicente Emilio Sojo Conservatory (VES) from Barquisimeto, Lara state, Venezuela. This collaboration marks a significant moment of cultural diplomacy and musical exchange between the two nations.
The event will feature performances of national anthems of Venezuela and South Korea, along with a diverse repertoire including universal musical arrangements, Latin American pieces, Korean compositions, and Venezuelan works.
In preparation for the concert, a series of conferences and workshops have been scheduled in Seoul. General rehearsals and preparations will take place over four Saturdays at the Seongbuk Foundation, specifically on June 8, 15, 22, and 29, with a final rehearsal on July 5, just before the concert. These rehearsals will include sectional practices by instrument groups, followed by general rehearsals.
A press conference is scheduled for June 17, where Venezuelan conductor Freddy Silva and violinist Mary Flor Rodríguez will introduce "El Cuatro," the national instrument of Venezuelan folk music.
The relationship between the orchestras of Venezuela and South Korea dates back to 2012 when the Orchestra of Dreams formed an agreement with El Sistema in Venezuela. Prior to this, in 2010, Maestro José Antonio Abreu, the founder of El Sistema, was awarded the Seoul Peace Prize for his contributions to music and culture.
On June 5, 2024, the first in-person meeting between the orchestra directors took place at the Venezuelan Embassy in Seoul. Organized by Minister Counselor Isabel Di Carlo Quero, Charge d’Affaires a.i. of the Venezuelan Embassy in South Korea, the meeting finalized the concert details. Maestro Freddy Silva from the Vicente Emilio Sojo Orchestra and Maestro Jintak Moon from the Seongbuk Dream Orchestra have agreed on the rehearsal dates, concert repertoire, and preparation activities for June.
This concert celebrates the independence of Venezuela but also symbolizes the strengthening of historical ties between Venezuela and South Korea, marking nearly 60 years of diplomatic relations from 1965 to 2025. The event is set to be a remarkable demonstration of cultural diplomacy and musical collaboration.
