Mercado Cultural da Bahia 2009
Mercado Cultural da Bahia in Salvador
The 9th edition of Mercado Cultural da Bahia presented Sonagi Project and Chae Soo Jung Company, in partnership with Korea Arts Management Service. From December 1st to 11th, Korea's music performance and workshop met the audience from Sao Paulo, Salvador and the state of Bahia. This year's Mercado Cultural presented 6 Brazilian and 6 international music groups among which are A Barca(Brazil), The Idan Raichel Project(Israel), Juan Pablo Villa(Mexico), etc.
Sonagi Project in Boa Nova during Mercado Cultura's caravan program
Jang Jae Hyo, director of Sonagi Project, doing interview with TVE Bahia
Korean percussion and vocal performances were put on the stage in Centro Cultural Sao Paulo(Sao Paulo), Teatro Castro Alves(Salvador) and in the countryside of the state of Bahia.
"Sonagi Project contains the various rhythms from all around the world. They perform with Korea's traditional instrument Janggu, but in the very contemporary way." - Damien M. Pwono, Executive director, The Aspen Institute -
"It's surprising to see a percussion group coming from Korea in Salvador which is a city where we can hear percussion sound everywhere. In Tarragona is held a percussion festival every year and I believe that the audience Sonagi Project would attract the audience there, too." - Jordi Freizes, Batall Produccion -
"It was dramatic to see a woman on the stage, who has been singing for her entire life. It's not easy to express my impressions by word." - Dubi Lenz, Israel -
"Chae Soo Jung's vocal sound keeps the energy. I could feel that energy, sadness, various feelings are getting stronger." - Juan Pablo, Artist, Mexico -
Chae Soo Jung's Workshop in Teatro Castro Alves
Sonagi Project's Workshop in Teatro Castro Alves
Through workshop, Chae Soo Jung and Sonagi Project with participation of Korean ethnomusicologist HA Ju-Yong met Brazilian artists and audience. The first part with Sonagi Project presented the history of Pungmul gut and Samulnori, Korea's percussion instruments and its rhythms. At the end was followed by the improvisational play with Brazilian percussion group BONGAR! The second part continued with Chae Soo Jung, explaining Korean folk opera PANSORI, the different musical characteristics varying from region to region in Korea, etc.
"I discovered new culture. Korea is a far-existing country. However, I am satisfied to communicate with Korea through music and believe that the constant cultural exchanges between Brazil and Korea will bring us closer." - Audience, Brazil -