International ‘Culture Olympics’ open on South Korean island of Jeju

‘Culture Olympics’ open in South Korea

SEOUL, South Korea — Performers from around the world have gathered on the South Korean island of Jeju for this week’s international Delphic Games, popularly known as the “Culture Olympics.”

Organizer Kim Bu-kyung said Wednesday that some 600 participants from 54 countries will compete in the weeklong global cultural festival.

The festival takes its name from the Delphic Games of ancient Greece. The Greeks competed in cultural contests at the sacred site of Delphi, home to the Temple of Apollo.

The first Delphic Games of the modern era were held in Russia in 2000 and the second in Malaysia in 2005.

Participants, both amateurs and professionals, will compete in six categories in this year’s festival, including music and acoustic arts involving ancient musical instruments, and performing arts such as mime, masked dance and shadow plays, Kim said.

Thirty-nine judges will determine the medalists based on how much the performances moved the audiences, she said.

No prize money is offered.

The games will continue until next Tuesday.