Transterra Media

Celebrations of North Korea

Collection with 15 media items created by Gavin John

Korea, N 25 Apr 2014 04:00

April 15th in North Korea marks the national holiday of "The Day of the Sun" which commemorates the birth of the countries founder Kim Il-Sung. Across Pyongyang celebrations and performances were held to mark the occasion. Children preformed with almost prodigal talent at the Pyongyang Childrens Palace; a place where grade school children come after school to practice artistic skills. Foreign performers from countries like Russia and Mongolia held a "Spring Friendship Art Festival" in the Pyongyang Grand Theatre to a crowd that included North Korean members of parliament. The finale of "The Day of the Sun" was marked by a grand 20 minute firework display over the Taedong River. When I asked one of my government minders why no military parades are held on that date anymore, he replied with a laugh. "We don't want the world thinking that's all we do here" The photographer visited North Korea (DPRK) in April, 2014.

North Korea Celebrations Pyongyang Theatre Show Asia

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Children preform during part of "The Day of the Sun" celebrations at the Pyongyang Children's Palace on April 14, 2014. The celebration marks the birth of North Korea's founder Kim Il-Sung. Children practice various artistic skills for months at the extra curricular school in preparation for such events.Gavin John/Freelance/Transterra Media

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Children preform during part of "The Day of the Sun" celebrations at the Pyongyang Children's Palace on April 14, 2014. The celebration marks the birth of North Korea's founder Kim Il-Sung. Children practice various artistic skills for months at the extra curricular school in preparation for such events.

Gavin John/Freelance/Transterra Media

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A young boy sings as part of "The Day of the Sun" celebrations at the Pyongyang Children's Palace on April 14, 2014. The celebration marks the birth of North Korea's founder Kim Il-Sung. Children practice various artistic skills for months at the extra curricular school in preparation for such events.

Gavin John/Freelance/Transterra Media

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Young musicians play the violin during a presentation at the Pyongyang Children's Palace on April 14, 2014. The palace is a place where children are taught artistic talents such as song, dance and music outside of school. The performance was put on as part of North Korea's "Day of the Sun" celebration that marks the countries founder Kim Il-Sung's birth on April 15.

Gavin John/Freelance/Transterra Media

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Young children play traditional Korean drums as part of "The Day of the Sun" celebrations at the Pyongyang Children's Palace on April 14, 2014. The celebration marks the birth of North Korea's founder Kim Il-Sung. Children practice various artistic skills for months at the extra curricular school in preparation for such events.

Gavin John/Freelance/Transterra Media

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Young girls dance as part of "The Day of the Sun" celebrations at the Pyongyang Children's Palace on April 14, 2014. The celebration marks the birth of North Korea's founder Kim Il-Sung. Children practice various artistic skills for months at the extra curricular school in preparation for such events.

Gavin John/Freelance/Transterra Media

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Young women sing as part of "The Day of the Sun" celebrations at the Pyongyang Children's Palace on April 14, 2014. The celebration marks the birth of North Korea's founder Kim Il-Sung. Children practice various artistic skills for months at the extra curricular school in preparation for such events.

Gavin John/Freelance/Transterra Media

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A member of a Mexican government delegation is call on stage by two young children as part of a performance to celebrate "The Day of the Sun" holiday in Pyongyang on April 14, 2014. Foreigners and government dignitaries are often brought to such performances.

Gavin John/Freelance/Transterra Media

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A choir of children and an orchestra preform a grand finale during the closing act at the Pyongyang Children's Palace on April 14, 2014. Hundreds of children preform to foreign dignitaries and visitors as well as locals as part of "The Day of the Sun" celebrations marking Kim Il-Sung's birth.

Gavin John/Freelance/Transterra Media

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Dancers perform during "The Day of the Sun" celebrations in Pyongyang on April 15, 2014 to mark the birth of the countries founder Kim Il-Sung. Many foreign dignitaries as well as members of the North Korean parliament attended the performance.

Gavin John/Freelance/Transterra Media

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A young performer sings during a presentation at the Pyongyang Children's Palace on April 14, 2014. The palace is a place where children are taught artistic talents such as song, dance and music outside of school. The performance was put on as part of North Korea's "Day of the Sun" celebration that marks the countries founder Kim Il-Sung's birth on April 15.

Gavin John/Freelance/Transterra Media

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Young performers sings during a presentation at the Pyongyang Children's Palace on April 14, 2014 with a portrait of North Korea's founder Kim Il-Sung in the background. Every time a picture of a past or present leader of North Korea is shown, the crowd clapped and cheered. The performance was put on as part of North Korea's "Day of the Sun" celebration that marks the Kim Il-Sung's birth on April 15.

Gavin John/Freelance/Transterra Media

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Young performers perform a dance during a presentation at the Pyongyang Children's Palace on April 14, 2014. The palace encourages youth to pursue a wide range of talents and is all done outside of school. The performance was put on as part of North Korea's "Day of the Sun" celebration that marks the countries founder Kim Il-Sung's birth on April 15.

Gavin John/Freelance/Transterra Media

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A North Korean woman photographs fireworks with her cell phone in Pyongyang on April 15, 2014. The fireworks marked the end of the celebrations of "The Day of the Sun" holiday marking the birth of Kim Il-Sung.

Gavin John/Freelance/Transterra Media

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Korean Peoples Army soldiers watch fireworks during the end of festivities for "The Day of the Sun" that marks the birth of Kim Il-Sung on April 15, 2014. While this years celebrations were described as "smaller than usual" the fireworks display lasted 15 minutes.

Gavin John/Freelance/Transterra Media