2 outdoor arts festivals in May

2 outdoor arts festivals in May. April. 15, 2016 07:20. by 김정은기자 kimje@donga.com. In May, two Korean outdoor arts festivals – the Ansan Street Arts Festival (from May 5 through May 8) and the Uijeongbu Music Theatre Festival (from May 13 through May 22) -- will be held one after another.

The UMTF, which marks the 15th anniversary, attracts the attention of fans as it shows a snapshot of the global music theaters. Some 80 groups from six countries will show around 130 performances this year. One of the most notable performances is the opening show of Russia’s "The War."

"The War" was coproduced by the Chekhov International Theatre Festival and the Edinburgh International Festival in August 2014 to mark the 100th anniversary of the World War I. Critics say that it delicately mixes the World War I and the Trojan War, pinpointing the essence of war. Since the debut, it had a world tour in Russia, France and Portugal.

The closing performance is "Missing" by Gecko Theatre, which describes the deficiency and healing of people today who pursue only success. In addition, seven other pieces -- Brazil’s "Two Men in Wind Shoes (Solas de Ventos)," a story about people who got lost in an airport, "Dreams of Chickens, Flying," which is about dreams and hopes, Belgium’s "Carrousel des Moutons, a music circus, opera "L’Elisir d’Amore in Our Town-Uijeongbu," an opera about a couple’s love, and musical "Laundry" -- will be performed on the stage of the small theater of the Uijeongbu Arts Center. The contact number is 031-828-5891-7.

The Ansan Street Art Festival, which marks the 12th anniversary this year, was awarded the IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Award last year. It will showcase 50 performances of 13 countries (32 domestic invitations and 18 foreign invitations). France’s Place des Anges by Compagnie Gratte-Ciel" will be the opening performance while Spain’s "Kaosmos x Dodoland" by Grupo Puja will be the closing performance. In addition, there are many street arts from a traditional one to a modern one. The festival will be held in and around Ansan Cultural Square between Jungang Station and Gojan Station of Subway Line 4.