Masskara goes to Andong City, South Korea
Ten Masskara Street Dancers from Brgy. Alijis will represent Bacolod City in the Andong International Folk Art and Mask Dance Festival 2008 that will be held Sept. 26, Friday, at Andong City, South Korea.
Brgy. Alijis was the champion at the Masskara Street Dancing Competition during last year's celebration. They will represent the city and the country in the festival on the invitation of Andong. The XIIth (12th) Andong International Folk Art and Mask Dance Festival invite only the best folk ensembles from around the world.
Around 50 embassies of other countries and 30 local Korean city mayors participate in the opening of the Andong Festival every year. It is also estimated that almost 1 million people will watch the festival performances on TV stations in Korea and neighboring countries.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia along with Senior Tourism Officer Butch Gerasmo and Permits and Licensing Head Ardis Jaculina will accompany the dancers to Andong City. Leonardia will be in Andong in relation to a sister-city relationship between Bacolod and the South Korean city.
Andong is a 3,000 year old city with a rich culture and history in Southern Korea. It is the center of Korean culture and also the center for science and national monuments. It is also the capital of folk art for people who appreciate tradition.