Introduction
The Moranbong Theatre (모란봉극장) is a theatre located at the southern foot of Moran Hill in Pyongyang City near the famous Chollima Statue. It is one of the oldest buildings in the DPRK and the current home base for the North Korean National Symphonic Orchestra.
History of the Moranbong Theatre
The Moranbong Theatre was the first of its kind in Pyongyang and was built in the spring of 1946 in a Soviet-influenced neoclassical design not long after Korea’s liberation.
The theatre occupies the site of a former Shinto Shrine used by the Japanese during their occupation of Korea.
In 1948 the theatre would become politically significant, hosting the joint North-South conference for the year where representatives from both sides called for the withdrawal of foreign troops on the Korean peninsula.
Later on, in 1948, the theatre would host the Supreme People’s Assembly’s first session where the DPRK founding was proclaimed.
During the Korean war, the building was almost completely destroyed by the bombing campaigns in and around Pyongyang city. By the time the dust had settled, all that remained were two external walls.
In 1954 the building was reconstructed entirely according to the original building plans, and the exterior remains largely untouched to this day.
The Moranbong Theatre underwent significant renovations in 2006 to modernize the auditorium hall and upgrade the interior facilities.
After the renovations in 2006, a special concert was held commemorating the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth.
Visiting the Moranbong Theatre
Your best chance to visit the theatre is during a group when the North Korean National Symphonic Orchestra has a show scheduled. This usually happens on tours around national holidays with the ticket being 20 Euros per person. This is paid directly while in the country to your local guides.
Of course, if you would like to admire the building’s architecture and have a tour of the inside, we can arrange this on an independent tour to North Korea.
Ready to experience North Korean classical music and explore one of Pyongyang’s oldest buildings? Contact us today to start planning your North Korea tour
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