Songdowon Youth Open-Air Theater

The Songdowon Youth Open-Air Theater is in Wonsan City on the scenic shore of the East Sea of Korea.

The theater is a center of politico-ideological education and cultural and art activities which can host art performance and various other events. It is associated with the undying feats of the peerlessly great men of Mt. Paektu Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il, and Kim Jong Un.

Regarding it as his lifelong motto to believe in the people as in heaven, the great leader Kim Il Sung gave instructions on building an open-air theater in Songdowon for the working people, youth, and children.

In order to realize his lofty intention the great Kim Jong Il chose the site on the spot and took necessary measures for construction on May 8, Juche 54 or 1965.

In August that year he visited the completed theater and expressed great satisfaction, saying it was ready to invite Kim Il Sung. Afterwards, too, he called at it on several occasions.

In April Juche 98 or 2009 he visited the theater again.

Going round different places of the theater associated with the revolutionary activities of President Kim Il Sung, he proposed rebuilding it on an expansion basis in keeping with the demand of the new century and indicated the ways for reconstruction. And he kindly promised to see a performance of the State Merited Chorus together with citizens of Wonsan when the theater was rebuilt.

Han Chang Ho, Chief of the Education Division of the Songdowon Youth Open-Air Theater, has this to say:

“Our Songdowon Youth Open-Air Theater was rebuilt on an expansion basis several times under the loving care of the peerlessly great men of Mt.Paektu. As a result, it was rebuilt into a modern structure on the highest level with 5,000 seats and all best facilities.

The great Kim Jong Il warmly said he knew the Songdowon Youth Open-Air Theater well and he was an eyewitness of the theater. Our Songdowon Youth Open-Air Theater was built under his concern ranging from its site to its completion and reconstruction.”

Carrying forward the love of the great Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, respected Marshal Kim Jong Un visited the theater on May 30, Juche 102 or 2013.

Ri Hye Yong, Director of the Songdowon Youth Open-Air Theater, says:

“Respected Marshal Kim Jong Un was always concerned for our Songdowon Youth Open-Air Theater associated with the immortal exploits of the great Generalissimos and for its management. On the day he visited our theater, he paid deep attention to the arrangement and height of the seats, the sound equipment installed in front of the stage and the projecting equipment to be used during film shows.”

Seeing the roof over the stage that day, Marshal Kim Jong Un said it had been built well for the stage and added that the theater should be a centre for the working people and school youth and children to conduct mass cultural and art activities in conformity with its mission. Noting that the theater should be always active with song and dance, he promised to make a time and see an art performance in the theater together with citizens.

Today, too, the Songdowon Youth Open-Air Theater on the shore of the East Sea is loud with cheerful and optimistic happy laughter of people who enjoy all benefits of socialism as the creators and enjoyers of socialist culture.