Charity recitals to celebrate birthday bicentennial of Hans Christian Andersen

Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) is perhaps the most beloved writer of fairy tales and children’s stories in the world, and this year marks the bicentennial anniversary of his birth.
To celebrate his legacy, the Danish Embassy in Seoul has announced a series of commemorative events, one of which is a recital of Andersen’s most popular tales.
Theater actress Yoon Suk-hwa and pianist No Young-sim will join forces to hold a charity recital at 3 p.m. each day from March 28 to 30 at the Jungmiso Theater in Daehangno. At the event, titled “Andersen’s Fairy Tale Concert: Five Bundles,” Ms. Yoon will read five Andersen classics, including “Five Peas from a Pod,” “The Little Mermaid” and “The Little Match Girl,” while Ms. No will accompany the reading with a piano performance.
Handicapped children, orphans and other needy children will be invited to attend the recital concerts.
During a press conference Thursday at the Danish ambassador’s residence in Itaewon-dong, Ms. Yoon said, “It is an honor to be able to perform on this special anniversary.” She was chosen last October by the Danish government as the “Hans Christian Andersen Ambassador” to South Korea along with Seoul Mayor Lee Myung-bak.
Explaining the various events to commemorate Andersen’s birth, Leif Donde, the ambassador to Korea, said, “On June 3, we will have a big event at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, where the Danish National Symphony will perform.” Ms. Yoon will sing traditional Korean and Danish folk songs with the orchestra on that day. Mr. Donde said, “Ms. Yoon was chosen because of her dedication to needy children, and adopted children.”
On Thursday, the organizers of the event invited a choir composed of handicapped children from a local welfare center, who sang a song for the audience, followed by a recital of “Five Peas from a Pod” by Ms. Yoon, accompanied by Ms. No on an electric piano.
Ms. Yoon said, “I believe we are carrying out the spirit of the children’s writer Andersen by helping handicapped and needy children, who normally do not get the chance to enjoy cultural activities.”

by Choi Jie-ho