The New York Philharmonic orchestra has arrived in North Korea, for what has been described as a remarkable display of cultural diplomacy, BBC online reports Monday.
The orchestra is due to play in Pyongyang on Tuesday, and the concert will be broadcast live on local TV. It is the largest US presence in the reclusive state since the Korean war more than half a century ago.
The US State Department has authorised the trip, despite deadlock on the issue of North Koreas nuclear programme.
Pyongyang has made unprecedented attempts to accommodate the orchestra, allowing a delegation of nearly 300 people to fly to Pyongyang for a 48-hour period.
The visit has been compared to US orchestral visits to the Soviet Union in the 1950s, and the “ping pong” (bordtennis) diplomacy with China in the 1970s.
One New York tabloid has called the venture a “disgrace” that has handed North Korea “a propaganda coup”. Before accepting the invitation, the orchestra said it insisted the concert should begin with the US national anthem.
Danmarks Radio har sat koncerten på programmet. Den kan høres på DR 2 lørdag eftermiddag (1. marts) kl. 16.00-17.45 (se rubrikken “Se-hør-læs om 3V” her på u-landsnyt).
