Literature and the arts of the DPRK are revolutionary, working-classoriented, and socialist in content and national in form that is loved by people and agreeable to their flavour.
The State encourages creative endeavours by writers and artistes and develops literature and the arts on the mass basis so that broad masses can take part in the literary and artistic activities.
To meet the ever-growing people’s demand it has newly built or renovated about 4 000 theatres, cinemas and halls of culture across the country, including the People’s Theatre, Pyongyang Grand Theatre, National Theatre, Moranbong Theatre, Taedongmun Cinema and Pyongyang Acrobatic Theatre.
Many works have been produced in all sectors of literature and the artsliterature, drama, film, opera, music, dance, fine arts and acrobatics. The revolutionary operas The Sea of Blood and The Flower Girl, light comedy An Echo among the Hills and drama We Will Recollect Today, feature films Star of Korea, The Nation and Destiny and A Broad Bellflower and other musical, dance and acrobatic works enjoy high reputation.
The grand mass gymnastics and artistic performance Arirang, winner of Kim Il Sung Prize, was awarded the Grand Sun Medal and the Order of Peace by foreign countries and organizations, and recorded on the Guinness Book of World Records in August Juche 96 (2007).
Works of fine arts with the Korean painting as the main, including jewel painting, oil painting, sculpture, woodcut, embroidery, pottery, industrial arts and calligraphy enjoy admiration of foreigners as well.
The industrial fine arts of commerce, costume, industry and architecture have reached a new phase along with the eye-opening advancement in the building of an economic power and the betterment of the people’s livelihood.