Winter Fest Beckons Children to Daehangno

This year's festival will feature diverse genres including a family musical inspired by a folktale, a play using recycled articles and a puppet show.

The opening work, ``Blue Hour'' is an international residence program co-produced by artists from Vietnam, Taiwan and Japan who stayed in Korea for three months to tour the natural environment such as Upo Wetland, Suncheon Bay, Sihwa Lake and Nanji Island. The play aims at raising awareness about environmental problems through intriguing characters. ``Blue Hour'' will be staged on Jan. 9 and 10 at Blackbox Theater.

Among others, the overseas productions are rare and selective. ``Echoa'' is a French musical production presented by the Arcosm Company which will be performed from Jan. 13 to 17 at Daehangno Arts Theater. The production is a festive performance combining dance and music performed by the two percussionists and two choreographers.

``Teru Teru'' is a Japanese production by A.C.O. Okinawa, which features cloth puppets made for praying for good weather. The play will be staged on Jan 11 and 12 at the Blackbox Theater.
For the Korean productions, ``Hello, Let's Play'' presented by Theater Namu will be performed from Jan. 9 to 11 at Daehangno Arts Theater. The play uses recycled articles as stage props to deliver both entertainment and an educational message to children.

``Flour Doll, Joy'' by Theater Beautiful World will portray an adventure taken by a cook and a flour doll. It will be on stage from Jan. 12 to 14 at Daehangno Arts Theater.

``Red Bean Porridge Granny & the Tiger'' presented by Theater Donggrami is based on renowned author Yoon Mi-suk's fairytale. The folk play will take to the stage from Jan. 15 to 17 at Daehangno Arts Theater.

Theater Tombang's ``Vienna's Music Box'' will revolve around a mouse's travel to Vienna meeting various musicians such as Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. The play will be on stage from Jan. 15 to 17 at Happy Theater.

``30, Mother'' will be shown from Jan. 15 to 17 at Blackbox Theater. The play, with cheerful and witty touches, portrays the story of an ordinary life of a couple who become parents at the age of 30. It's about a mother and father who are unskillful and inexperienced in taking care of their baby.

Alongside the major programs, side programs will attract children and their parents. English musicals, exhibitions, street magic shows, forums, symposiums and seminars will be held throughout the nine-day festival.

ASSITEJ was established in 1965 to enrich the lives of children and young people and unites individuals, professional theaters and theater organizations to raise the artistic standards of theater for children and young people. It is the architect of an international network that links thousands of theater and individuals across nearly 70 countries.