Performance of the traditional dance « Cheoyongmu »
When: 28.10.2026 19:00
Where: 48.874164, 2.316729
Organizer: Admin
This theatrical and choreographic tradition finds its origin in the legend of Cheoyong, son of the dragon king Yongwang, who came among humans in the 9th century. According to the story, Cheoyong returned home one evening and discovered a mysterious being with his wife. Even though he thought he had been betrayed, he began to sing and dance. In reality it was a smallpox spirit who, touched by his attitude, renounced harming him and promised never to enter a house where Cheoyong’s face would appear. From this episode a lasting popular belief was born: the effigy of Cheoyong, placed on doors, was supposed to protect homes from disease and malevolent forces.
Born from the popular beliefs of the Silla era, the Cheoyongmu dance has transformed over the centuries, gradually incorporating the codes and values of court culture, especially under the Joseon dynasty. It thus bears witness to the evolution and remarkable continuity of Korean choreographic traditions through the ages.
Inscribed since 2009 on UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list, this tradition, passed down for more than 1,100 years, was historically performed during exorcism rites or royal banquets. It is today reinterpreted on stage, where its symbolic and aesthetic dimension continues to shine.
The performance brings together five dancers dressed in the five fundamental Korean colors (white, blue, black, red and yellow), symbolizing the harmony and balance of the world. Masked and adorned with ritual attributes, they move according to a codified, expansive and majestic gesture, paced by songs and tempo variations.
This show is presented in collaboration with the Cheoyongmu Preservation Association and is supported by Korea Heritage Agency (KHA) and the National Center for Intangible Heritage.
Tags: theatre, traditional dance, cultural heritage
Source: https://www.paris.fr/evenements/spectacle-de-la-danse-traditionnelle-cheoyongmu-123116
Open in Vibelocate · Markdown