Latif Abubakar and Korean Embassy launch ‘Sim Majorley’ theatre show to headline 2025 Korean Cultural Festival

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Ghana has launched the 2025 edition of the Korean Cultural Festival with a groundbreaking theatre production titled Sim Majorley, which will serve as the centrepiece of this year’s cultural celebrations.

The production, a Ghanaian adaptation of the Korean classical novel Simcheongjeon (The Story of Sim Cheong), is a collaboration between the Korean Embassy and renowned Ghanaian theatre company Globe Productions, led by celebrated playwright Latif Abubakar. It will be staged on 2nd August, 2025 in Tema and on 9th August, 2025 at the Accra International Conference Centre.

Speaking at the launch in Accra, the Korean Ambassador to Ghana, Park Kyongsig, described Sim Majorley as a “meaningful cultural collaboration” that reflects Korea’s continued commitment to cultural diplomacy with Ghana.

“The highlight of this year’s festival is a theatrical performance based on the famous Korean classical novel Simcheongjeon, or The Story of Sim Cheong, reinterpreted through a Ghanaian lens and performed by Ghanaian actors,” the Ambassador said.

He noted that the production exemplifies Korea’s efforts to strengthen ties through creative partnerships.

“Writing a new chapter in Ghana-Korea cultural diplomacy, we are proudly working with Globe Productions, one of Ghana’s most respected theatre companies,” he added.

Directed by Latif Abubakar, Sim Majorley tells the story of a devoted daughter who sacrifices herself to the sea gods to restore her blind father’s sight. While the core story is rooted in Korean tradition, the adaptation has been infused with the language, cultural rhythms, and symbolism of the Ga people of Ghana.

“By placing this story within the cultural rhythms, language, and symbolism of the Ga people, we have not only preserved the essence of the Korean original but also created a platform for cross-cultural understanding, creative fusion, and mutual appreciation,” Latif intimated.

Two performances of Sim Majorley will take place at the Accra International Conference Centre on 9th August, at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Mr. Abubakar called on the public to attend and witness what he described as “a fusion of heritage, heart, and hope.”

The festival will also include K-pop dance showcases by Ghanaian youth and cultural booths featuring Korean cuisine, technology, and traditional displays. Organisers say the choice to include a performance in Tema is part of an effort to extend cultural experiences beyond the capital.

Ambassador Kyongsig emphasised that the event is more than entertainment, calling it “a cultural bridge” between the two nations. “It is our sincere wish that this event will help deepen mutual understanding and further strengthen the cultural ties between our two countries,” he said.

The festival also falls in line with the Korean Embassy’s broader outreach efforts, including scholarship programmes and cultural education initiatives that promote people-to-people exchange.

Latif Abubakar, known for his dynamic approach to theatre and social change, has previously collaborated with the Spanish Embassy to stage Something Must Kill a Man, and with the Italian Embassy on The Licence, both of which explored social and civic themes through comedy and drama. His works have consistently drawn attention to social issues while building bridges between cultures.

“Together, let us continue to tell stories that move us, and move the world,” Mr. Abubakar concluded.

Tickets for Sim Majorley are expected to go on sale later in July, with strong interest anticipated from both theatre lovers and cultural enthusiasts.

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