How does the North Korean regime treat music? Is it part of an ideological scheme? Music is often viewed as an expression of freedom. Because those are the issues that are important - regardless of what the system is like. And the issue isn't even talking about the system, but about what isolation, loneliness, fear and love mean in art. The unique thing about working there is that I could speak quite privately with the young students about their fears, emotions and attitudes, and also about politics. It's a valid question: "What can I achieve through art?" We have an international orchestra here.
Liebreich has repeatedly visited both North and South Koreaĭo you feel you've been able to contribute to the dialogue about the system or culture in Korea through your artistic work? Singing plays a big role when working with students. There are many very good Korean singers people sing together in private settings a lot. I think that Koreans in general are an incredibly musical people. South Korea is famous for producing musical talents. What I've heard from my colleagues who travel there more is that the hunger situation has been mitigated since the end of the 90s - even if there's still a lot of poverty there.
Pyongyang has a special status because it's a showcase city. Getting a sense of the entire country is difficult because you cannot travel through it. Many suffer from hunger and lack various things. And life on the street has a lot more vitality to it. Last fall, we were pretty relaxed with one another. In 2002, communicating with students and with officials was a lot more difficult. Last fall, surprisingly, there was a clear sense of change in the air, of things opening up in how people dealt with each other. How have things changed since you first went there in 2002?Īlexander Liebreich: The country has changed a great deal. Liebreich, you often travel to North Korea.
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