Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

The Republic of Korean Ministry of National Defense's military music band is taking pride in the Korean military spirit and traditional arts displayed at the "International Military Music Festival: Hamina Tattoo" taking place in Finland.

Established in 1990, Hamina Tattoo is an international military music festival. The Republic of Korean military music band participated in the festival for the first time in response to an official invitation from the festival’s organizing committee. The 2018 Hamina Tattoo Festival will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Finnish Forces and will be attended by representatives from eight countries: Republic of Korea, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands, Germany, Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

From July 30 through August 4, there will be ten different performances, including the eve, mini-Tattoo, main performance, parade, and commemoration performance. The Ministry's military music band will present various instrumental pieces of music by grafting modern rhythms onto traditional Korean tunes, and other performances, such as Buchechum (fan dance), Jangguchum (a dance with the janggu, an hourglass-shaped drum), Beogguchum (a dance with a small drum), Pangut (a kind of Nongak, which is farmers’ music), and traditional Korean martial arts.

“Our participation in 2018 Hamina Tattoo is an opportunity to shed new light on the future-oriented friendly relations between Republic of Korea and Finland. It is expected that this festival will present the local Korean residents with a time for inspiring self-respect for their homeland and comforting themselves, as well as pave the way for letting the world know the excellence of the Korean forces and traditional culture,” said a Ministry official.

The Ministry's military music band has been doing its part as a cultural mission to raise national dignity and let the world know of the excellence of Korean culture by participating in international events, such as 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan, 2013 Edinburgh International Military Music Festival, 2016 Okanagan Military Tattoo, and 2018 Pyeong Chang Winter Olympics, as well as state occasions, such as welcoming ceremonies for visiting guests of state.

By Chul-Hwan, Kim < droid001@dema.mil.kr >

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