Plans for 2020 Seoul, Tongyoeng, Gwangju, and Pyeongyang Music Tour Festival
(Performance of “Exemplum in Memoriam Gwangju” and Other Pieces by Isang Yun in Celebrating 40th Anniversary of Gwangju Democratic Movement)
Isang Yun Peace Foundation Night of Friendship and Support was held in the Yeouido Financial Investment Education Center’s auditorium in the 6th floor in November 4th, 5:00 PM with about 300 members. While the event was scheduled on the meeting room of National Assembly Member’s Office Building, the location was changed to Financial Investment Education Center due to circumstances of the National Assembly. In the event, Chairman Gehryeun Shin said “Music of Yun is beyond our thoughts and broader and profounder than we know. As we deeply felt the need to spread his music to the people, we founded Isang Yun Peace Foundation and gathered together today.” Shin also delivered that “The activities of our foundation relatively slowed down not only because the previous government claimed Yun’s music to have political orientation but also because we limited his music to the things of the certain political group.” Shin also said “Like how Yun’s music is evaluated to go beyond rightist and leftist parties and western and eastern parts, I hope we can make efforts together to make all Koreans love the music of Yun.”
Also, Walter-Wolfgang Sparrer, the president of International Isang Yun Association, delivered his message in writing and said “Since Shin who served as the chairman in the early stage became the chairman again, I hope to develop the conversation on spiritual and musical legacies of Yun. Two years ago in 2017, President Moon and First Lady Kim officially visited cemetery of Yun in Berlin and showed honored Yun’s legacy and great pieces.” He also delivered that “Our mission is to spread Yun as an important composer who never forgot about the problems and pains from the division of North and South Korea.”
Also, Suja Lee, wife of Yun, sent a video message and asked for understanding on not attending the event because of her recent health issues. She said “My husband spent half of his life in Korea and the rest half abroad. Like how a child doesn’t know about the love of mother in mother’s arms, he lived in desperate longing and homesick for his home country after leaving the country.” She also said “Since his grave is back in his hometown where he can enjoy the warm sunlight and ocean view, he will rest in peace and we also feel happy for him.”
Violinist Wonyoung Jeong played two pieces including IV. Der Boxer von nebenan and V.Das Vogelchen of “Li-Na im Garten -Fünf Stücke für Violine solo” composed by Yun and won applauses.
In the next-year project report, Chairman Shin emphasized that “Building up the base for organizational and financial independence is the base of the next year’s project.” He also shared that the foundation is planning on music festival touring around Seoul, Tongyoeng, Gwangju, and Pyeongyang in 2020 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Gwangju Democratic Movement in remembrance of the famous orchestra piece, “Exemplum in Memoriam Gwangju” and discussed about it.
