Entertainment · Books & Arts · 1 day ago
Jaha Koo wins International Ibsen award for his work in theatre
South Korean theatre artist Jaha Koo has received the International Ibsen award at a ceremony in Oslo, Norway.
The award, founded by the Norwegian government, comes with a prize of 2.5 million kroner.
Koo is based in Belgium and tours with Haribo Kimchi, a theatre show built around food, performance and personal stories.
In the show, he prepares a Korean kimchi pancake and explores what it means to live between cultures.
He says Europeans often see him as Korean, while people in South Korea do not always see him that way.
The show uses kimchi and Haribo sweets to reflect how he holds on to his roots while adapting to life elsewhere.
Koo is continuing to tour the production, with Belgium among his destinations.
South Korean theatre artist Jaha Koo has won the International Ibsen award for theatre work on identity.
The award ceremony took place in Oslo, where Koo was interviewed the following day.
The prize, founded by the Norwegian government, carries an award of 2.5 million kroner.
Koo’s touring production Haribo Kimchi explores cultural identity through the combination of Haribo sweets and kimchi.
Koo is now based in Belgium and says adapting kimchi recipes to local ingredients does not make them inauthentic.
- Who
- Jaha Koo, a South Korean theatre artist.
- What
- He won the International Ibsen award for theatre work on identity.
- When
- The ceremony was the day before the Guardian interview; its date is not stated.
- Where
- The ceremony took place in Oslo, Norway.
- Why
- The award recognised Koo’s theatre work on identity.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Jelliness is my life motto
Kimchi can be very diverse.
They want to find comfort, eat quite humble food.
That is the same resilience I need to improve when I live outside Korea.
Koo’s grandmother’s kimchi was part of his life in South Korea.
Koo brought 10kg of kimchi, which bloated and exploded on his balcony.
Koo was based in Belgium and touring with Haribo Kimchi.
Koo received the International Ibsen award at a ceremony in Oslo.
- Award
- International Ibsen award
- Winner
- Jaha Koo
- Award value
- 2.5 million kroner
- Ceremony location
- Oslo
- Current base
- Belgium
Sources
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