'Queen Elisabeth Competition' winners head to Nowon-gu

Nowon-gu in Seoul will present a range of cultural programs this fall, from neighborhood performances close to home to world-class classical music concerts.

Nowon-gu's Traveling Performance program is designed to bring high-quality performances to residents in apartment complexes and parks throughout their neighborhoods. This way, they do not have to travel to a concert hall. The idea is to lower the barrier to enjoying culture and the arts, making it part of everyday life rather than something reserved for special occasions and venues.

First, the Traveling Orchestra will perform on Sept. 20 at 4 p.m. in the ground-level parking lot of Hanil 1st Apartment complex in Wolgye-dong, and on Oct. 5 at 4 p.m. in the central plaza of Nowon Lotte Castle Signature Block 2 in Sanggye-dong.

Conductor Bang Sung-ho will lead the Western Symphony Orchestra and guest performers in a varied program spanning classical standards, pop songs, film and drama soundtracks, and jazz. The orchestra stages about 70 performances a year at home and abroad as part of its effort to bring classical music to wider audiences.

In the first half of the year, about 5,400 people attended six performances, drawing a strong response. Apartment complex concerts averaged around 700 attendees each, while about 2,000 people turned out for a performance at the Bulamsan Royal Azalea Festival. This broadened opportunities for residents to experience classical music close to home.

The traditional arts program, called the Traveling Sinmyeong Madang, will be held Nov. 1 at 3 p.m. at Hannae Park in Wolgye-dong. It will feature samulnori ("a traditional Korean percussion performance") master Kim Duk-soo, samulnori performers Iseo and Yeseong, and Yoo Jin-ho, a certified tightrope-walking performer.

The program opens with a ritual blessing ("mungut"), followed by well-wishes for residents ("chukwon deokdam") and farmers' music rhythms from the three southern provinces ("samdo nongak garak"). It closes with a tightrope-walking act and a rousing finale ("pangut"). Over about 70 minutes, samulnori, tightrope walking and other traditional performing arts will combine in a lively show conveying the flavor of Korean tradition to the audience.

The Sinmyeong Madang program was also held twice in the first half of the year, at the Bulamsan Royal Azalea Festival and Satgatbong Park, drawing about 2,500 spectators. By bringing traditional Korean music and performing arts to nearby parks, the program has established itself as part of everyday cultural life.

All Traveling performances are free and open to the public without reservation. Schedules and details are available on the websites of the Nowon-gu office and the Nowon Culture Foundation.

A world-class classical stage is also in store. The "2026 Queen Elisabeth Competition Winners Concert in Nowon" will be held Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the main hall of the Nowon Arts Center.

The concert will feature cellist Ettore Pagano, winner of the cello category at the 2026 Queen Elisabeth Competition; runner-up Kim Tae-yeon; and pianist Ilya Rashkovsky. The performance brings together top winners of the Queen Elisabeth Competition, one of the world's three most prestigious music competitions. It gives audiences a chance to hear world-class young musicians who are drawing international attention.

Nowon District Mayor Seo Jun-oh said, "We have prepared a diverse lineup of classical music, traditional Korean music and performances by world-renowned musicians so that residents can enjoy culture and the arts close to home." He added, "I hope residents will enjoy the performances taking place across Nowon this fall together with family and neighbors, and fully embrace this abundant season of culture."