PYONGYANG 26 February 2008 United States orchestra to perform in reculsive North Korea

The New York Philharmonic Orchestra has agreed to play a concert in February at the invitation of one of the world's most isolated nations. The trip to the North Korean capital will be the first significant cultural visit by Americans to a country consigned by Washington to the "axis of evil."

This sign of detente comes amid Washington's continuing calls for North Korea to fully disclosed all nuclear programs and get rid of its nuclear weapons.

According to The New York Times, which reported the story, to Washington the invitation and acceptance represent a potential opening in that Communist nation’s relationship with the outside world, and a softening of its unrelenting anti-United States propaganda.

The Philharmonic’s trip follow a line of groundbreaking orchestra tours that have contributed to diplomacy. In 1973 the Philadelphia Orchestra traveled to China soon after President Nixon’s historic visit, and in 1956 the Boston Symphony was the first major American orchestra to travel to the Soviet Union.

The concert is planned for the end of a previously planned tour in China. The orchestra is expected to stay in Pyongyang for two nights, with some teaching and a ceremonial dinner thrown in. Dec/07

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Philharmonic agrees to play in North Korea (NYT 10 Dec 2007)