The Geumcheon-gu Gasan Library is set to stage 'The Fairy and the Woodcutter,' a performance culminating its reading and cultural program for people with disabilities, at the Geumcheon Musical Center on August 11. This special event, part of a project funded by the National Library for Persons with Disabilities, will showcase participants with disabilities as they express a beloved picture book story through song, movement, and acting, sharing their stage with family and the local community.
Inclusive Reading and Culture Program Culminates in 'The Fairy and the Woodcutter' Performance
The Geumcheon Cultural Foundation's Geumcheon-gu Gasan Library will host 'The Fairy and the Woodcutter,' a performance from its reading and culture program for people with disabilities, 'Our Small Musical Made with Picture Books,' at the Geumcheon Musical Center on August 11 at 3 PM. This performance is part of the '2026 Reading and Culture Program for Persons with Disabilities' public contest, organized by the National Library for Persons with Disabilities. It is a meaningful event where participants demonstrate their self-expression and stage presence cultivated through picture books.
This production is the result of participants actively interpreting picture book content in their own ways, moving beyond passive reception. They bring the story to life through diverse artistic expressions including singing, rhythmic movement, and acting. Family members of the participants and representatives from organizations supporting people with disabilities are invited to attend, sharing in and celebrating the journey of their activities.
Integrating Reading and Art Through Picture Books
The Gasan Library has been running the 'Our Small Musical Made with Picture Books' program since May, involving 15 adults with disabilities from the Kippeumnamu Disabled Welfare Facility. The program encouraged participants to collaboratively read picture books, deeply understand the story's flow and characters, and then expand this understanding into songs, rhythmic movements, and scene portrayals.
Specifically, the upcoming 'The Fairy and the Woodcutter' performance will convey the story primarily through body movements and dance set to music, rather than lengthy dialogue. Participants' individually learned songs and scene acting will complete the high-quality musical. This initiative reflects the library's commitment to expanding cultural and artistic participation opportunities for people with disabilities by combining reading and performing arts, fostering community empathy for reading and cultural activities involving individuals with disabilities.
Expanding Cultural and Artistic Participation and Future Vision
Through this program, participants gained invaluable experience in interpreting and expressing book content in their own unique ways. The Gasan Library assesses that these activities significantly enhanced cultural and artistic accessibility for people with disabilities and enabled their independent artistic engagement.
Seo Young-cheol, CEO of the Geumcheon Cultural Foundation, emphasized, "This performance holds great significance because each participant expressed the story in their own voice and movements, working together to complete a single stage." He added, "We will continue to expand opportunities for users with disabilities to experience reading and culture firsthand, allowing them to freely express their thoughts and emotions, thereby demonstrating our commitment to creating an inclusive cultural environment for the future."
