View source for April 25 House of Culture

{{Short description|Theatre in Pyongyang, North Korea}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2016}}
{{Infobox venue
| name                   = April 25 House of Culture
| former names           = February 8 House of Culture<br />Congress Hall
| image                  = File:Palais des congrès Pyongyang.jpg
| image_size             = 
| image_alt              = 
| caption                = April 25 House of Culture decorated for the [[7th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea]]
| pushpin_map            = Pyongyang
| coordinates            = {{coord|39|3|29|N|125|44|57|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| location               = Pipha Street, [[Moranbong District]], [[Pyongyang]], [[North Korea]]<ref name="DPRK-PT" /><ref name="Corfield" />
| publictransit          = [[File:Logo of the Pyongyang Metro.svg|22px|link=Pyongyang Metro]] {{colorbox|red}} [[Chollima Line|Chǒllima]]: [[Jonu Station|Jŏnu]] and {{colorbox|green}} [[Hyoksin Line|Hyǒksin]]: [[Chonsung Station|Chŏnsŭng]]
| type                   = Culture venue
| broke_ground           = April 1974
| opened                 = {{Start date|df=yes|1975|10|07}}
}}
{{Infobox Korean name
|hangul=4.25 {{linktext|문화|회관}}<ref>{{Cite web | script-title = ko:평양 4.25 문화회관에 큰 화재 발생 | author = 중국-김준호 | work=[[Radio Free Asia]] | date = 25 April 2014 | accessdate = 6 May 2016 | url = http://www.rfa.org/korean/in_focus/fire-04252014095421.html | language = ko }}</ref>
|hanja=4・25 {{linktext|文化|会館}}
|rr = 4.25 munhwa hoegwan
|mr = 4.25 munhwa hoegwan
|context=north}}
The '''April 25 House of Culture''' is a theatre located in [[Pyongyang]], [[North Korea]].<ref name="DPRK-PT">{{Cite web|title=Pyongyang: Theatres |work=Official webpage of the DPR of Korea |publisher=Korean Friendship Association (KFA) |year=2011 |url=http://www.korea-dpr.com/theatres.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403071031/http://korea-dpr.com/theatres.html |archivedate=3 April 2013 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref> It was built in 1974–1975 to provide a venue for military education, and was originally called the '''February 8 House of Culture'''. It is located on Pipha Street in the Moranbong District of Pyongyang.<ref name="DPRK-PT" /> The classically colonnaded building<ref name="Willoughby">{{cite book|last=Willoughby|first=Robert |title=North Korea: The Bradt Travel Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z4XKBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA135|edition=Third|year=2014|publisher=Bradt Travel Guides|isbn=978-1-84162-476-1|page=135}}</ref> is considered one of the best examples of 1970s socialist monumentality in North Korea,<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Architecture of North Korea |date=12 June 2015 |publisher=Koryo Tours |url=http://koryogroup.com/newblog/?p=3037 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505213251/http://koryogroup.com/newblog/?p=3037 |archivedate=5 May 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy }}</ref> the other being the visually similar [[Mansudae Art Theatre]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=North Korea Architecture Tour 2014 |year=2013|work=How to Go to North Korea |publisher=Rebel Tribe |url=http://www.howtogotonorthkorea.com/north-korea-architecture-tour-2014/ |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140927035410/http://www.howtogotonorthkorea.com/north-korea-architecture-tour-2014/ |archivedate=27 September 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

It has been the location of many historic events, from the [[6th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea|6th]], [[7th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea|7th]], and [[8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea|8th]] congresses of the [[Workers' Party of Korea|Korean Workers' Party]], to the historic meeting of [[Kim Jong-il]] with the [[president of South Korea]], [[Roh Moo-hyun]], in 2007.<ref name="kore_Thea">{{Cite web | title = Theatres, Pyongyang, North Korea | author =  | work = koreakonsult.com | date =  |accessdate=6 May 2016 |url=http://www.koreakonsult.com/Attraction_Pyongyang_theatres_eng.html }}</ref>

==Construction==
A {{Convert|12.4|ha|acre|0}} site was cleared and actual construction on the theatre building was begun in April 1974.<ref name="Corfield">{{Cite book|author=Corfield, Justin |year=2014 |title=Historical Dictionary of Pyongyang |location=London |publisher=Anthem Press |page=7 |isbn=978-1-78308-341-1}}</ref> The building is {{Convert|105|m|ft|0}} wide across the front, {{Convert|176|m|ft|0}} deep, and rises to a height of almost {{Convert|50|m|ft|0}}.<ref name="Corfield" /> It contains two large theatres with 6,000 seats and 1,100 seats respectively with a cinema theatre of 600 seats.<ref name="DPRK-PT" /> Its over {{Convert|80000|sqm|sqft|0}} of floor space provide for some 600 other rooms in support of the theatres.<ref name="Corfield" /> The building opened on 7 October 1975.<ref name="DPRK-PT" /><ref name="Corfield" />

==Name==
The building as proposed was originally named the '''February 8 House of Culture''' after the date of the 1948 official founding of the [[Korean People's Army]] (KPA). It was opened under this name and the [[6th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea]] was held there on 10 to 14 October 1980, under this name.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Kim |first=Nam-Sik |year=1982 |title=North Korea's Power Structure and Foreign Relations: An Analysis of the Sixth Congress of the KWP |journal=[[The Journal of East Asian Affairs]] |volume=2 |issue=1 |pages=125–151  |jstor=23253510}}</ref> After the congress the building was sometimes referred to as '''Congress Hall''';<ref>{{Cite web |title=Documents – Bob Hartley Collection |work=The Strand Archive |url=http://www.theatrecrafts.com/archive/contentslist.php?view=col&content_id=5 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305001107/http://www.theatrecrafts.com/archive/contentslist.php?view=col&content_id=5 |archivedate=5 March 2017 |url-status=dead |access-date=5 May 2016 }}</ref> however, subsequently the name was changed to the '''April 25 House of Culture''', the founding date of the resistance army against the Japanese,<ref>Official North Korean sources, such as {{Cite book|author=Hwan Ju Pang |year=1987 |title=Korean Review |location=Pyongyang |publisher=[[Foreign Languages Publishing House (North Korea)|Foreign Languages Publishing House]] |page=39 |oclc=21036357}},  state that the Anti-Japanese People's Guerrilla Army was founded on 25 April 1932 by [[Kim Il Sung]]. Kim was at that time commanding a small unit in the Chinese Communist [[Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army]] under General [[Yang Jingyu]]. {{Cite web|title=Kim Il Sung's Life to the Korean War |work=Post War North Korea |publisher=Korean History Info |url=http://koreanhistory.info/KimIlSungsLife.htm |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502145029/http://koreanhistory.info/KimIlSungsLife.htm |archivedate=2 May 2012 |url-status=live}}; {{Cite book|author=Minnich, James M. |year=2005 |title=The North Korean People's Army: Origins and Current Tactics |location=Annapolis, Maryland |publisher=Naval Institute Press |isbn=978-1-59114-525-7}}</ref> in order to reflect the historical connection, and the continuity, with the KPA.<ref name="Marinekslee">{{Cite web|title=N. Korea Displays Ballistic Missiles During Military Parade, Some for the first time |date=June 2007 |publisher=Marinekslee |url=http://marinekslee.egloos.com/m/8498726 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505193727/http://marinekslee.egloos.com/m/8498726 |archivedate=5 May 2016 |url-status=live}} which cites: "Puk chuyo’gi’nyŏm’il 5–10 nyŏnmada taegyumo yŏlpyŏngsik" (North Korea Holds Large Military Parades for Anniversaries Every 5–10 years), Chosŏn Ilbo, 25 April 2007; Chang Jun-ik, "Pukhan Inmingundaesa" (History of the North Korean Military), Seoul, Sŏmundang, 1991, pp. 19–88; {{Cite book|author=Kim Kwang-su |year=2006 |chapter=Chapter Two: 조선 인민군 의 형성 과 발전, 1945–1990 [Chosŏninmingun’ŭi ch’angsŏlgwa palchŏn, 1945–1990; Foundation and Development of the Korean People's Army, 1945–1990] |script-title=ko:북한 의 군사|trans-title=The Military of North Korea |location=Seoul |publisher=Kyung Inmoonhwasa (Kyŏngin Munhwasa) |pages=63–78 |isbn=978-89-499-0439-9}}</ref> North Korea's [[Military Foundation Day]] had been changed earlier, in 1978, from 9 February to 25 April, until in 2015 when it returned to the 8 February date.<ref name="Marinekslee" />

== Usage ==
The April 25 House of Culture is home to the April 25th Culture and Art Composition Office,<ref>The April 25th Culture and Art Composition Office has also been known variously as the April 25th Cultural Centre, April 25th Hall, April 25th House of Culture, 8 February Hall, 8 February House of Culture, and 8 February Group. {{Cite book|author=Bermedez, Joseph S. |year=2003 |title=Shield of the Great Leader: The Armed Forces of North Korea |location=Sydney, New South Wales |publisher=Allen & Unwin |page=32 |isbn=978-1-74115-007-0}}</ref> which is in charge of organizing major KPA cultural events, including international conferences and state funerals.  In addition to meetings for military education, awards and solidarity,<ref name="Willoughby" /><ref>{{Cite news|title=Servicepersons Vow to Be Faithful to Leadership of Kim Jong Un |date=18 July 2012 |publisher=[[KCNA Watch]]|url=http://www.kcnawatch.co/newstream/1451892359-315527649/servicepersons-vow-to-be-faithful-to-leadership-of-kim-jong-un/ |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505202320/http://www.kcnawatch.co/newstream/1451892359-315527649/servicepersons-vow-to-be-faithful-to-leadership-of-kim-jong-un/ |archivedate=5 May 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> and official state ceremonies and party meetings such as the 6th and 7th [[Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea|Congresses]] of the [[Workers' Party of Korea]],<ref>{{Cite news|author=Talmadge, Eric |date=3 May 2016 |title=Details of N. Korea party congress secret, but goals clear |publisher=Associated Press |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/b0c294704ec543388e8b260ef0d30046/details-n-korea-party-congress-secret-goals-clear |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504144222/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/b0c294704ec543388e8b260ef0d30046/details-n-korea-party-congress-secret-goals-clear |archivedate=4 May 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|author=Pearson, James |title=Finishing touches in North Korea capital ahead of rare party meeting |date=5 May 2016 |publisher=Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) from Reuters |url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/finishing-touches-in-north-korea-capital-ahead-of-rare-party-meeting/42134566 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505214149/http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/finishing-touches-in-north-korea-capital-ahead-of-rare-party-meeting/42134566 |archivedate=5 May 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> the theatres in the 25 April House of Culture are used for cultural events such as performances by the Korean People's Army Ensemble,<ref name="Corfield" /> or the band [[Moranbong Band|Moranbong]].<ref>{{Cite news|author=Paton, Callum |date=10 December 2015 |title=North Korea: Kim Jong Un's hand-picked girl band Moranbong hope to make it big in China |newspaper=[[International Business Times]] |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/north-korea-kim-jong-uns-hand-picked-girl-band-moranbong-hope-make-it-big-china-1532731 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530133954/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/north-korea-kim-jong-uns-hand-picked-girl-band-moranbong-hope-make-it-big-china-1532731 |archivedate=30 May 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy }}</ref>

The building rarely sees visits by tourists.<ref name="Willoughby" />

== In culture ==
The [[North Korean postal service]] issued a stamp on 7 October 1976, primarily for domestic use, depicting the then new building.<ref name="Corfield" /><ref>Scott #1532 – Scott (2008) "Korea, Democratic People’s Republic" ''Scott 2009 Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue Volume 4'' (165th edition) [[Scott catalogue|Scott Publishing Co.]], Sidney, Ohio, page&nbsp;276. {{ISBN|978-0-89487-420-8}}</ref>

The building appeared in the 2019 South Korean film ''[[Ashfall (film)|Ashfall]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ashfall (2019)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11285908/|publisher=IMDb|access-date=21 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=白头山精彩情节|url=
https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1j7411R7ma/|website=Bilibili|date=19 March 2020|access-date=21 August 2024}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|North Korea}}
* [[List of theatres in North Korea]]

== Notes and references ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{Cite book|year=1985 |title=Pyongyang |location=Pyongyang |publisher=[[Foreign Languages Publishing House (North Korea)|Foreign Languages Publishing House]] |pages=204–209|oclc=477352411}}
* {{Cite book|author=Hwan Ju Pang |year=1987 |title=Korean Review |location=Pyongyang |publisher=[[Foreign Languages Publishing House (North Korea)|Foreign Languages Publishing House]] |page=225 |oclc=21036357}}
* {{Cite book|first=Hubert Mono |last=Ndjana |year=1988 |title=Korea, a mysterious country in the East |location=Pyongyang |publisher=[[Foreign Languages Publishing House (North Korea)|Foreign Languages Publishing House]] |pages=25–26|oclc=20635290}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.theatrecrafts.com/archive/documents/photo_bh_pyongyang05.jpg February 8 House of Culture theatre control room in 1975] by Bob Hartley [https://web.archive.org/web/20170305001113/http://www.theatrecrafts.com/archive/documents/photo_bh_pyongyang05.jpg archived]
* [http://www.theatrecrafts.com/archive/documents/photo_bh_pyongyang01.jpg Photo of the February 8 House of Culture, 1975] by Bob Hartley [https://web.archive.org/web/20170305001119/http://www.theatrecrafts.com/archive/documents/photo_bh_pyongyang01.jpg archived]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160505203831/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6qaO7sleUTs/Uaz0QKjro0I/AAAAAAAAKj4/WzeTYV5S1dw/s640/1995%2BPyongyang%2Baper%C3%A7u%2Bg%C3%A9n%C3%A9ral%2B0001-080.jpg Photo of the 25 April House of Culture, circa 1995]
* [https://www.flickr.com/photos/kernbeisser/8076394881 Photo of the 25 April House of Culture, circa 2010]
{{Clear}}

{{Theatres in North Korea}}

[[Category:Theatres in North Korea]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Pyongyang]]
[[Category:Stalinist architecture]]
[[Category:Theatres completed in 1975]]
[[Category:1975 establishments in North Korea]]
[[Category:20th-century architecture in North Korea]]
[[Category:Cinemas and movie theaters in North Korea]]