Project UL-SSI-GU (프로젝트 얼씨구) Presented by Global Pungmul Institute in Chicago, USA

 

Project Co-directors: Byoung Sug Kim in Chicago, USA & So Ra Kim in Seoul, Korea

 

Media Director: Deborah Kim in Sydney, Australia 

 

Appreciative members of the audience call out “Ul-ssi-gu joht-ta!” as they enjoy pungmul, Korean drumming. This simple, joyful exclamation ties together the players and the audience, binding them within the drumming experience of pungmul. The audience’s cries of “Ul-ssi-gu joht-ta!” and the answering rhythms of the players are an expression of community ties. Project UL-SSI-GU seeks to foster a global sense of community by designating August 15 for street performances of drumming around the world. August 15 is the day on which Japan surrendered in 1945, in effect ending World War II. The end of the war symbolizes both a global call for peace and the liberation of colonies and other occupied territories. GPI organized Project UL-SSI-GU 2014 as a way to bring together Korean drumming ensembles to celebrate the end of war and colonialism and to renew the call for peace. That year, 13 ensembles from eight countries participated, resulting in near simultaneous performances around August 15, 2014, in South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Australia, Malaysia, Japan, Canada, and the United States. This year, 2015, marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and Liberation Day of Korea. In 2015, GPI invites not only pungmul groups, but other ethnic percussion ensembles to join us in calling for world peace and resisting the near constant state of war across the globe. As we play percussion music together around the world, GPI and its international community of percussionists call for mutual respect and peace. Join us! We welcome your participation as fellow performers beating the drums of peace.