The Ukrainian Embassy in Korea brought the Sevastopol City Symphonic Orchestra to Korea to raise awareness of the legal plight of some 30,000 ethnic Korean-Ukrainians, known as Georyo-saram here, currently residing in the Eastern European country.

As many as half a million Georyo-saram reside in many other countries throughout the former Soviet Union in addition to Ukraine, such as Uzbekistan, Russia and Kazakhstan.

During its tour in Korea, the Sevastopol orchestra performed a number of concerts in June and July in cities around the country, including a special performance at Youngsan Art Hall in Yeouido on Wednesday. The Korea International Culture Exchange Association co-organized the concert tour.

Georyo-saram in Ukraine are essentially stateless individuals with uncertain legal residency. A majority of Georyo-saram in Ukraine are descendants of Koreans who were forcibly relocated from the Russian Far East in the early part of the 20th century.

Organizers have been inviting Ukrainian musicians to Korea every year since 2003 as part of efforts by Korea and Ukraine to promote cultural understanding and cooperation. Sevastopol is a popular seaside resort town on the coast of the Black Sea.

The performance that included Korean and Ukrainian musicians also spotlighted the leadership role of permanent Sevastopol Orchestra conductor Volodymer Kim, a third-generation Georyo-saram.

In its Seoul concert, the orchestra performed pieces from well-known composers such as Beethoven, as well as ones from less popular composers like Mikhail Glinka. They also played a pop orchestra rendition of the traditional Korean folk song “Arirang.”

The concert by the orchestra members will be held once again on July 9 at Youngsan Art Hall.

(ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)