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The Arirang mass games were stopped in 2013 in North Korea.

Today the North Korean leader announced that they will return in 2018 to celebrate the 9th of September that marks the DPRK’s 70th Anniversary. This incredible spectacle of gymnastics, acrobatics, dance, and propaganda featured some 100,000 North Korean people as participants, and drew spectators from all over the world, including the USA, for what was the biggest and most elaborate human performance on Earth.

I could attend many Arirang shows during my 6 trips to the Hermit Kingdom. Below you will find my photo series documenting life in North Korea and the incredible Arirang games.

More info: ericlafforgue.com

The North Korean government announced that the Arirang will return in 2018 to celebrate the 9th of September that marks the DPRK’s 70th Anniversary

North Korea Stopped Its Arirang Shows In 2013 And I Was There To Capture The Last One

All year long, in Pyongyang’s giant town square, performers train under the command of one megaphone-wielding woman in preparation for the Arirang

North Korea Stopped Its Arirang Shows In 2013 And I Was There To Capture The Last One

Over 100,000 performers prepare the show

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North Korea Stopped Its Arirang Shows In 2013 And I Was There To Capture The Last One

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The youngest participants join the others after school.

The gigantic May Day stadium in Pyongyang (the “North Korean Maracana” as the North Koreans affectionately call it) is home to these mass games

North Korea Stopped Its Arirang Shows In 2013 And I Was There To Capture The Last One

After years of serving their country, some soldiers are rewarded with access to the spectacle

North Korea Stopped Its Arirang Shows In 2013 And I Was There To Capture The Last One

Outside of the stadium, two girls are late and are seen rushing to perform

North Korea Stopped Its Arirang Shows In 2013 And I Was There To Capture The Last One

They were already dressed in their gymnastics uniforms.

The fake sailors continue to train in the parking lot up until the last minute before the show

North Korea Stopped Its Arirang Shows In 2013 And I Was There To Capture The Last One

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They strive for nothing less than perfection.

Everything, including the lights, is operated by humans. No high tech here

North Korea Stopped Its Arirang Shows In 2013 And I Was There To Capture The Last One

20,000 young Koreans sit in the stands facing the spectators

North Korea Stopped Its Arirang Shows In 2013 And I Was There To Capture The Last One

They flip colored cards at high speeds, forming mosaics of nationalist imagery.

Each time the teens flip their cards, they cry out

North Korea Stopped Its Arirang Shows In 2013 And I Was There To Capture The Last One

2000 teens are needed to make this soldier.

One of North Korea’s legends is recounted in this fresco

North Korea Stopped Its Arirang Shows In 2013 And I Was There To Capture The Last One

It represents the pistols reportedly used by Kim Il Sung when he founded the Anti-Japanese People’s Guerrilla Army. When the guns appear, the audience erupts in applause.

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The North Korean flag

North Korea Stopped Its Arirang Shows In 2013 And I Was There To Capture The Last One

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The combination of the sensual and political make the Arirang one of the most unique shows in the world!

North Korea Stopped Its Arirang Shows In 2013 And I Was There To Capture The Last One

The house that Kim Jong Il was born (according to propaganda) in near Mount Paektu at the Chinese border

North Korea Stopped Its Arirang Shows In 2013 And I Was There To Capture The Last One

During the Arirang show

North Korea Stopped Its Arirang Shows In 2013 And I Was There To Capture The Last One

As I wanted to be in the bottom seats to take up-close pictures of the show, I asked to go to the bottom row

North Korea Stopped Its Arirang Shows In 2013 And I Was There To Capture The Last One

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The guide explained to me that the seats were reserved for the soldiers. I then had to buy a 300 euro VIP seat and exchange it with a soldier.

My guide was nervous when i was too close of the people as i may show the not perfect things!

North Korea Stopped Its Arirang Shows In 2013 And I Was There To Capture The Last One

The Party’s people logo during the Arirang

North Korea Stopped Its Arirang Shows In 2013 And I Was There To Capture The Last One

Politics are part of the show which remains a giant propaganda tool.

The symbol of North and South Korea reunited

North Korea Stopped Its Arirang Shows In 2013 And I Was There To Capture The Last One

During the Arirang show

North Korea Stopped Its Arirang Shows In 2013 And I Was There To Capture The Last One

The Arirang is a good opportunity to show the world North Korea’s friendship with China

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North Korea Stopped Its Arirang Shows In 2013 And I Was There To Capture The Last One

The spectacle ends with the waving of the two countries’ flags.

Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. Kim Jong Il ceased to attend the shows for security reasons when he was alive, but the guides informed me that it was due to the large workload he had at this time

North Korea Stopped Its Arirang Shows In 2013 And I Was There To Capture The Last One

The children sang in unison “We are the happiest children in the world”, one of the famous propaganda songs in North Korea

North Korea Stopped Its Arirang Shows In 2013 And I Was There To Capture The Last One

Any people selected for the Arirang brings honor to his or her family

North Korea Stopped Its Arirang Shows In 2013 And I Was There To Capture The Last One

Being selected for this event is very difficult.

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The show lasted for a little over an hour

North Korea Stopped Its Arirang Shows In 2013 And I Was There To Capture The Last One

Thereafter, the thousands of people present vanished into the dark and silent streets of Pyongyang, contrasting the flood of lights and music seen in the stadium.

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