North Korea Preps for Visit From NY Philharmonic

Pyongyang tears down anti-US posters in lead-up to concert

By Caroline Zimmerman, Newser User

Posted Feb 24, 2008 3:00 PM CST

(Newser) – Pyongyang may be shedding some of its anti-US propaganda in preparation for the New York Philharmonic's arrival tomorrow, but many worry Dvorak symphonies Tuesday for the elite will prove an ineffectual olive branch during a time of nuclear negotiations. Pshaw, an assistant secretary of state tells the LA Times: "They are alleging that we have a hostile policy and that's why they need nuclear weapons. The presence of the New York Philharmonic argues against that."

The Philharmonic ensured the concert reaches the largest possible audience, included ethnic Korean musicians, and will close the program with Korean folk music. But while its director's "objective is to prove that we're not ogres," the state-controlled media refers to Americans as "warmongers." And one musician wonders how a concert will help "the people starving in the street."

In this undated (north) Korean Central News Agency photo released on Friday February 22, 2008, by Korea News Service in Tokyo, shown is the exterior view of the East Pyongyang Grand Theater in the North... (Associated Press)

Music Director Lorin Maazel conducts the New York Philharmonic during a performance at the National Grand Theater in Beijing on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008. North Korea was tearing down anti-American propaganda... (Associated Press)

Music fans and the New York Philharmonic take their seats before a performance at the National Grand Theater in Beijing on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008. North Korea was tearing down anti-American propaganda... (Associated Press)

New York Philharmonic President and Executive Director Zarin Mehta, left, listens as North Korea's U.N. Ambassador, Pak Gil Yon, speaks to reporters during a news conference at Avery Fisher Hall in New... (Associated Press)

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North Korea Preps for Visit From NY Philharmonic

Pyongyang tears down anti-US posters in lead-up to concert

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

music • North Korea • propaganda • classical music • Pyongyang • New York Philharmonic • Zarin Mehta • posters

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Giant Hotel Opening in North Korea, 23 Years Late

Ryugyong Hotel a longtime laughingstock

North Korea Punishes 'Insincere' Mourners

Crocodile tears for Kim result in forced labor, source says

Kim's 2-Day Funeral Begins

Kim Jong Un walks alongside father's hearse

Pyongyang May Be Too Poor to Pickle Kim

Unlike his father, late leader likely to be buried

North Koreans Mourn 'Dear Leader'

Weeping crowds fill streets of Pyongyang

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Site

Newser By Users

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