The guides showed us many different forms of art from the DPRK. We even visited the main art studio in Pyongyang, the place that builds the impressive statues and murals of the Kims. We talked to some of the artists and they explained about the importance of their work.

We also saw a circus program, but I had no camera with me. It was mainly about acrobatics.

At some point we visited the Children’s Palace of Pyongyang. This is the place where the school children go for extra curricular activities. There was one such palace in Bucharest too and I am very familiar with it because I attended some activities there too. The palace in Pyongyang brought me many memories from the childhood. So much resemblance with the building in Bucharest… same marble, same cold rooms, same decorations. We visited some of the classrooms, where the children were rehearsing dances, sewing, playing instruments and so on. Last thing we were invited to attend a show. It was such a great performance. So well they sang, so well they danced. I’ve seen professional artists in commercial shows doing so much worse than these little children! The show started with a song named “I am grateful to hug General Kim Jong-il” :-). There were many patriotic songs but also something from the folklore. Amazing performance!