Korea, the host of the ongoing International Delphic Games, grabbed the competition's first gold with the country's Kim Il-young winning in poetry recitation, organizers of the global cultural competition said Saturday, according to Yonhap News.The third Delphic Games, held through Sept. 15 on the Korean island of Jeju, have drawn 395 people from 35 countries, all hoping to showcase their talents and cultural heritage. They will perform in 18 competitions in six large categories: music and acoustic arts; performing arts; crafts, design and visual arts; linguistic arts; communication and social arts; and architecture and ecological arts.Kim, who took part in the poetry recitation games, an individual competition within the lingual arts category, recited a self-written poem about his mother, who had been a diver in Jeju.Jury members, including French poet Claude Mouchard, said Kim's performance was "honest" and "deeply moving.""Reading a poem had been a new challenge for me," Kim said after winning his gold. "I dedicate the honor to my mother."The silver went to Mbali Vilakazi from South Africa, while China's Jin Qinglong took the bronze.The Delphic Lyre Award, given to the competitor who best blends different cultures in the performance, went to Gonchig Sukhzorig of Mongolia. The Delphic Laurel Award, given to competitors who blend characteristics of their local culture with innovative techniques, went to Tade Ipadeoia from Nigeria.Mongolia's state Folk Song and Dance Ensemble won the gold at the cappella games, with the country taking three gold medals in the ongoing Delphics.Games featuring traditional double-reed woodwind instruments and a shadow play competition were to open Saturday, along with the sculpture, graphic storytelling, documentary production, book art, stone fence-making and outdoor space design games that have been running since Thursday.Under the theme "Tuning into Nature," this year's Delphic Games opened on Jeju Island on Wednesday with performers from 54 countries gathering for the competitions, as well as special performances and lectures.2009.09.13
i won a silver medal jo. at the arts games. i won a silver medal. im beside myself.
