| Description |
Arirang is a lyrical singing genre, which has been handed down orally for centuries and which never has lost its popularity among the Koreans. Arirang was sung by the people in the northwestern part of the Korean peninsula as early as in the late 14th century.
Today Arirang is sung in its traditional form by people all over the country, while it is also performed in symphonic arrangements and in dance music.
Arirang typically contains a gentle and lyrical melody in five scales, and the refrain:
Arirang, arirang, arariyon Over the Arirang hill you go.
Arirang songs speak about leaving and reunion, sorrow, joy, and happiness. There are various categories of Arirang songs that can be classified by the lyrics or the melody used, and by place of origin.
Currently 36 versions of Arirang are known. Most typical versions are Sodo Arirang, Phyongan Provincial Arirang, Jonchon Arirang, Haeju Arirang, Kangwon Provincial Arirang, Kosong Arirang, Onsong Arirang, Tanchon Arirang, Thongchon Arirang, Musan Arirang, Ku Arirang and Kosan Arirang, Arirang, as living heritage, up till the present day has undergone continuous developments, always reflecting the history of the Korean people. Under Japanese colonial rule, for instance, Arirang was widely sung as it reflected the distress about national ruin and the people’s spirit of resistance. In recent days such modern versions as “Arirang of Reunification” and “Arirang of Great Prosperity” have been produced reflecting the realities of our time. |
| Social and cultural significance |
The Korean is often called the Arirang nation – and rightly so, as Koreans do identify collectively with Arirang. Arirang smoothes social relations and it also helps Koreans to express their feelings, to express their joy, and to overcome grief. By singing Arirang they share their feelings among them, and help each other in difficult times. The meaning of Arirang acquired a new dimension in the early 20th century when Koreans suffered misfortune. At the time, singing Arirang meant for the Koreans preserving a symbol of national identity, which instilled into them hope for and confidence in national liberation.
That Arirang expresses feelings common to all Koreans – and respect between them – is also witnessed by the fact that athletes from the north and south of Korea sang Arirang as they jointly entered the venue of the opening ceremony of the 27th Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia in 2000. In the same vein, it is worth noting that at several rounds of pan-national reunification concerts, folk musicians and singers from the north and south of Korea and from overseas sang Arirang in reflection of the pain of national division and aspiration for reunification. In other words, Arirang demonstrates that Korean people speak the same language and share a common culture.
Arirang, which is often performed during other manifestations of intangible heritage, helps the continued transmission of those very elements. Arirang also occupies a place of pride in modern film production, professional performing arts, literature and other works of contemporary art. |
| Transmission method |
Popular forms of Arirang are transmitted in the first place informally: children come to cherish the folk song deep in their hearts as they hear their parents and their neighbors sing it at home and elsewhere, on holidays or in daily life. Children are also trained in performing Arirang at school. Middle school and university curricula, for instance, include the teaching of Arirang as a must and students like it very much. They are often taught by professional practitioners, who transmit their skills on a regular basis in the regular school system.
The government provides cultural occasions for the people where they can learn and sing the folk song. Since 1980 the Pyongyang Kim Won Gyun Conservatory has sponsored Arirang-related cultural events on a regular basis. In September 2012, for instance, a concert and symposium were held on the theme of “Tradition and Innovation of Arirang”.
At present many institutions disseminate the knowledge and skills related to the element to dedicated students; among these institutions and organizations are: the National Authority for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, the Folklore Research Institute of the Academy of Social Sciences, the Korean Traditional Music Research Institute, the Korean Musicians Union, the Pyongyang Kim Won Gyun Conservatory, the Korean National Heritage Preservation Agency and, local Arirang safeguarding societies.
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| Community |
Arirang is a typical folk song of the Korean nation which all Koreans, wherever they live, love and enjoy singing at many different types of occasions.
Major practitioners of the element, many of whom are socially recognized, and Several Arirang societies which are coordinated by national heritage protection committees play important roles in the enactment, transmission and safeguarding of Arirang.
Such groups are specified below:
-Musicians Union of Korea
-Sodo Arirang Safeguarding Society
-Haeju Arirang Safeguarding Society
-Kangwon Provincial Arirang Safeguarding Society
-Thongchon Arirang Safeguarding Society
-Onsong Arirang Safeguarding Society
-Korean Traditional Music Research Institute |
| Type of UNESCO List |
Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity |
| Incribed year in UNESCO List |
2014 |
