culture

The Ryongsong District Commercial Agency in Pyongyang has a pride in having taken first place in the national art festival.

Everyone from officials to employees is good at singing and playing musical instruments.

The agency’s instrument depository is filled with all kinds of musical instruments including harmonicas, drums, accordions, kayagum (a 19-stringed instrument) and janggo (hourglass drum), costumes and props.

According to Kim Hyon Il, an official of the agency, many employees are talented and can play more than two musical instruments and some of them can produce narrative works, arrange music and wonderfully perform songs and dances.

He learned to play the drum and guitar after being assigned to the agency.

Thinking that he would be unable to mix with the employees without knowing how to sing songs and play instruments, he picked up the guitar he had practised during his military service and learned to play the drum as well.

The mass artistic activities of the agency got vigorous with a simple skill presentation of employees as a momentum.

The demonstrators of their skills were different in their level, but everyone brimmed with joy and optimism.

Afterwards, other employees became enthusiastic about learning to play musical instruments and honing their artistic skills, enlivening the atmosphere of the agency and promoting harmony among them.

In the course of this, all the employees grew deeply attached to their job and workplace, recalled Kim Hyon Il.

Employees are unanimous in saying that artistic activities have become an integral part of their work and life.

"We keenly felt through mass artistic activities that innovations happen at the place ringing with songs," said Kim.