Mass Games

The Mass Games were held in 2018 after a 5 year break. They were held again in 2019. KTG were lucky to be at the first Mass Games performance in 2018, held on 9 September (National Day) where the Leader of DPRK Kim Jong Un was present. Security was very strict, with several checks being made. We were not allowed to take any items to the Mass Games, including our cameras or hotel room keys. Needless to say, the atmosphere was absolutely electrifying in a full packed May Day Stadium; the largest seater stadium in the world with no less than 150,000 seats.

What are the Mass Games?

The DPRK's unique Arirang Performance have become increasingly known world wide for being impressive shows involving literally tens of thousands of participants. So what exactly are the Mass Games?

When they take place they are held in Pyongyang and tell the story of the DPRK's history. Their struggle against the Japanese, the Korean War and the reconstruction of a country completely devastated by it. They are held in the biggest stadium in the world (the Rungrado May Day Stadium) and include acrobatics, live music and even taekwondo demonstrations.

In the background there is a stand with 20 thousand middle school students each holding a large book. They show a page of the book to the audience and each page forms a tiny "pixel" of the whole stand's picture which in fact is a gigantic mosaic. Students then flip pages in their books. As each student flips a new page the overall picture created by everyone will vary. Each student can have up to 170 pages in their book.

Coordination is critical, whether it be for the people in the stands or those performing on the field. This event stresses the importance of collectiveness over individuality and every single aspect of it is breathtaking; from the impressive shows on the field, to the giant mosaics and the atmosphere created by the local audience inside and outside the stadium.

People literally practice for months for this grandious event, and it is possible seeing them publicly do so in the streets of Pyongyang the months prior to when they start. Right before the beginning of each show, there are crowds in the streets and outside the stadium singing and marching together creating an exhilarating ambiance which ends in 90 minutes of pure excitement inside the stadium.

Shows are held in the evening and last 90 minutes. The huge mosaics created by the thousands of students is in the guiness book of records for being the biggest picture on Earth.