Bangladesh Shines: New wave of Asian performing arts 2025 in South Korea
Entertainment Report :
The South Korean city of Gwangju came alive from October 2 to 5 as it hosted the international festival “Beyond Borders: The New Wave of Asian Performing Arts 2025”, a vibrant celebration of Asia’s shared creativity and cultural diversity.
Organised by the Asia Culture Center (ACC) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea, the festival brought together artists from eleven nations, including Bangladesh , Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Vietnam, India and Sri Lanka, for four days of dance, music, and theatre that transcended borders and language.
Syeda Saheda Begum, Cultural Officer at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy served as a member of the festival committee overseeing coordination and creative programming.
Hasan Zabed, Special Correspondent of NTV, attended as an observer upon the invitation of ACC, reflecting the growing media interest in Bangladesh’s cultural diplomacy.
The dance troupe “Kathakia” stole the spotlight with a performance that fused folk rhythms with spiritual grace, earning praise from audiences and critics alike.
One Korean spectator described the performance as “pure poetry in motion,” capturing the emotional depth of Bangladeshi artistic expression.
The festival opened with “Rhythms of Asia,” a spectacular showcase featuring Korean traditional drums, Japanese dance, and the earthy charm of Bangladeshi folk movement, setting the tone for a celebration of art as a universal language.
The second day focused on workshops and exchanges, where choreographers from Japan, Thailand, and the Philippines led interactive sessions exploring modern and contemporary dance.
Artists from all participating countries collaborated closely, reaffirming the notion that creativity is humanity’s shared language.
Performances on third day ranged from China’s Fan Dance and Thailand’s Khon Mask drama to Sri Lanka’s Kandyan ritual, each presenting distinctive cultural narratives.
Bangladesh’s “Kathakia” captivated audiences with its harmonious blend of classical technique and folk spirituality, underscoring the nation’s growing footprint in regional arts.
The festival concluded with “Symphony of Unity,” a mass ensemble featuring artists from all eleven countries, weaving together music and movement to symbolise peace and cultural solidarity.