Rungrado May Day Stadium with a seating capacity of 150,000 - the largest in the world |
Illuminated fountain in front of Rungrado May Day Stadium |
Illuminated fountain, Rungrado May Day Stadium, Pyongyang |
Giant illuminated statue of a Kimjongilia, a flower developed for the Dear Leader's birthday in 1988 |
Rungrado May Day Stadium, site of the Mass Gymnastic and Artistic Performance "Arirang" (Mass Games) |
Rungrado May Day Stadium (completed 1989) Pyongyang, North Korea |
The Mass Games for 2009 are being held from August through early October |
Panorama of the Rungrado May Day Stadium, Pyongyang - capacity 150,000 |
150 euro foreigner-rate First Class ticket to the Mass Games |
A glimpse inside at the packed stadium |
On the opposite side of the stadium from the spectators are ca. 17,000 13-14 year old students |
The flag bearers enter the field - our guide said that's the easiest job here |
Each of the students has a book of numbered flip cards |
The colored flip cards are used to make giant changing images |
The students warm up with "test patterns" before the start of Ariang |
The effect is amazing with foot stomping and yelling |
The names of the school districts where the students are from |
The opening scene to the mass games "Arirang" |
Panoramaic view of the opening backdrop scene of Arirang |
Detail of the opening backdrop from the Arirang Mass Games |
Using white cards creates a giant movie screen |
Movie sequence in the opening scene of Arirang |
A soloist sing Arirang the Korean folk song our guide Kim Song Sim taught us |
Arirang opening scene - Dawn |
Arirang opening scene - Sunrise |
There are well over 1000 performers in each scene |
The guide said each individual only performs in one scene |
Formation of the rising sun |
Arirang opening scene |
"Arirang" |
Arirang Chapter 1 - "Country with sadness, 1905" |
This scene portrays Korean history from 1905 to the founding of the DPRK in 1948 |
Arirang Mass Games scene 2 |
The light of Kim Il Sung (a bit like the Star of Bethlehem" |
Arirang Mass Games |
The illumination of the torch - the light of Kim Il Sung |
Communists under the red banner arrive from the north |
Arirang Mass Games |
This scene was very energetic |
"Let's keep the vow we made. We have one goal" |
Arirang Mass Games |
"Our great comrade, Kim Hyuk" |
Performers with red flags |
Arirang Mass Games |
Arirang Mass Games |
"Loving your comrade (tong chi) is the first step of our party's goal" |
"Thousands of people but one heart" |
Korean word for "Independence" |
Korean word for "Independence" |
Korean word for "Independence" |
Arirang Mass Games scene 3 |
The Korean national flower |
24 women forming a flower |
Arirang Mass Games |
Arirang Mass Games |
Arirang Mass Games |
Arirang Mass Games |
Arirang Mass Games |
...the back drop is changing... |
1000 dancers in front of the Arch of Triumph |
Pyongyang Arch of Triumph - victory over Japan |
"From Mankyungdae to Gaesunmoon is a bloody road" |
Arirang Mass Games |
1948 - the founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea |
Arirang Mass Games - DPRK flag |
Arirang Mass Games - DPRK flag |
Arirang Mass Games - DPRK flag |
Arirang Mass Games - DPRK flag |
Arirang Mass Games - DPRK flag |
Arirang Mass Games - DPRK national emblem |
Arirang Mass Games - DPRK national emblem |
Arirang scene 4 |
"Snowy Road" |
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"The root of our army" |
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"The root of our army" |
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"With Parent's Love" |
...and at this point, Senior Guide Mr. Kim clapped loudly... |
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"Keep Creative" |
Arirang Mass Games scene 5 "Bright moon in my country" |
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"Moon, moon, bright moon in my country" |
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Whereas Kim Il Sung is the sun, Kim Jong Il is the moon |
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"Anywhere there is a fight, we will be there" |
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"Make Choson's Peak Season" |
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Arirang Mass Games scene 6 - children's gymnastic performance |
These are the 8 year olds |
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"Blossom" |
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"Thank you our father" |
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Arirang Mass Games scene 7 - energy/industry |
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"New country which just woke up from 50 years sleep" |
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"We have hydroelectric power everywhere" |
"Gae Chun - Tae Sung Ho" |
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"Strange looks of salt" |
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Arirang Mass Games scene 8 - Agriculture |
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"Let's turn the grass into meat" |
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Arirang Mass Games scene 9 - traditional Korean culture |
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"Let's create new products" |
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"Silky lady in nangbyun" |
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"Lovely silky falls" |
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Arirant Mass Games scene 10 - "21st Century" |
"Let's improve our science and technology" |
"Let's make our economy more modern" |
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"New Creative Mind" |
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"Being independent is our life" |
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"150 days of fighting" |
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"Big improvements, big changes" |
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Goal year 2012, the 100th birthday of Kim Il Sung |
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"Strong country, great improvement" |
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Arirang Mass Games scene 11 - Martial Arts |
"Wisdom of our country" |
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"Thunderstorm from Jung Il Bong" |
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"Victory of our thoughts" |
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"Let's speed our country's greatness" |
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Arirang Mass Games scene 12 - Birth of Kim Jong Il at Mt. Paektu |
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"All the forest covered with snow" |
"Home in spring" |
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Arirang Mass Games scene 13 - Acrobatics |
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Arirang Mass Games scene 14 - Reunification |
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"One mind, one behaviour" |
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Military Demarcation Line |
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"Our President's will was for the country to unite" |
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"Make our country united" |
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"Pungseupdo (culture)" |
"With our people" |
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Arirang Mass Games - map of Korea |
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Map of Korea with the Monument to the Three Charters of National Reunification |
Monument to the Three Charters of National Reunification |
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Arirang Mass Games scene 15 - Arirang for 3000 km |
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"Arirang for 3000 km" |
"Independent. Peace. Friendly" |
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"Chosun goes to the world" |
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Panorama of the finale of the Ariang Mass Games, Rungrado May Day Stadium |
Some of the most genuine smiles and waves we got...a group of Mass Games performers leaving the stadium |