SEOUL—Just days before the Divine Performing Arts' premier of the Chinese Spectacular on February 22, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) continued to pressure Kyung Hee University to cancel the company's reservation at the Grand Peace Palace, the largest theatre in Asia. Korean audiences voiced their grave concerns for at the CCP's invasion of their right to enjoy a performing arts program.
The Epoch Times Korea, the local host of the Divine Performing Arts performance, signed a contract with the university for four shows from February 22 to 24. Four days after the contract was signed, the Grand Peace Palace terminated the contract unilaterally, saying the venue needed for a university activity. They now face a lawsuit, lodged by The Epoch Times Korea .
According to the marketing company of the show, whose approximate English title is Suonata Arts Company ), the Chinese Embassy in Seoul continued to pressure Kyung Hee University to terminate the contract even after the university lost the lawsuit. The university planned to use the venue for a faculty meeting until one hour before the show started.
On the morning of the premier, the university, perhaps fearing potential condemnation from the public, changed the location of the faculty meeting and made the venue available for the Divine Performing Arts. The host hurried to prepare the stage for the show that night.
According to a report by Mun Hua Daily News on Feb 19, a KBS reporter commented, "This is a performance in our country. China has crossed the line. I feel China has interfered with our domestic administration. As a Korean citizen, I hope to be able to watch a high-level performance like this in Korea."
Mr. Kim Hee-chul, a newspaper wholesaler, said he could not understand the actions by the Chinese Embassy. "Isn't our country famous for creating a Korean trend around the world? If this is such a good performance, isn't it a great opportunity for China to spread its orthodox culture overseas? It's not like this is a show criticizing China. I don't understand why China is attempting to stop the show."
Mr. Kim added, "This involves the self-esteem of the Korean people. It is wrong that the Chinese Embassy called to stop the show."
"When Korean citizens' right to watch and enjoy a cultural and art performance is suppressed, violated or disrupted by an external force, any Korean citizen will feel outraged," said Ms. Choi Young-shin, a nurse from Chung Nam University Hospital, who watched last year's performance by the Divine Performing Arts.
For information about upcoming Divine Performing Arts shows, please visit: www.DivinePerformingArts.org.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Chinese Spectacular. For our complete coverage please visit: http://en.epochtimes.com/features/dpa2008/
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