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A bride and groom in Kaesong pose for a wedding photo. From North Korea: Anonymous Country by Julia Leeb.
(Photograph by Julia Leeb/Courtesy of teNeues)
North Korea is a mysterious country isolated from the rest of the world. German photojournalist Julia Leeb traveled to the closed country to better understand its culture and people. Her book North Korea:Anonymous Country
is an illustrated examination of North Korea’s architecture, culture,
and society. She shows celebrations for the 100th birthday of the
country's founder, Kim Il Sung, and follow hundreds of North Koreans as
they participate in a synchronized dance spectacle. She talks about
ordinary life and everyday scenes that are are somehow quite different.
In front of the Minsok Folk Hotel in Kaesong. From North Korea: Anonymous Country by Julia Leeb. Photograph by Julia Leeb. Courtesy of teNeus.
A bride and groom in Kaesong pose for a wedding photo. From North Korea: Anonymous Country by Julia Leeb. Photograph by Julia Leeb. Courtesy of teNeus.
North Korea and its protector: China. From North Korea: Anonymous Country by Julia Leeb. Photograph by Julia Leeb. Courtesy of teNeus.
The first communist dynasty takes its course. From North Korea: Anonymous Country by Julia Leeb. Photograph by Julia Leeb. Courtesy of teNeus.
A
ruler cult with religious overtones. You can take pictures of the
statues, but only the entire figure and only from the front. From North Korea: Anonymous Country by Julia Leeb. Photograph by Julia Leeb. Courtesy of teNeus.
A rare sight: A bride wearing a traditional dress in the seaport of Nampho. From North Korea: Anonymous Country by Julia Leeb. Photograph by Julia Leeb. Courtesy of teNeus.
Schoolgirl with the insignia of the “Beloved Leader.” From North Korea: Anonymous Country by Julia Leeb. Photograph by Julia Leeb. Courtesy of teNeus.
- Video: The People of North Korea
- Video: The Architecture of North Korea
- Video: The Culture of North Korea
Guests:
Julia Leeb- Leave a comment
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Comments [10]
"Defenestration." That's an easy
one. To throw someone out the window. Ex: Al Yankovic tossed Harvey the
Wonder Hamster over his shoulder and out the window.
Anyone familiar with Weird Al ("AL TV" on MTV in the 80s) would know that!
Anyone familiar with Weird Al ("AL TV" on MTV in the 80s) would know that!
Aug. 20 2014 01:50 PM
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Ms. Leeb describes her experience
of huge, properly appointed but empty restaurants and theaters;
mandatory drivers and "guides"; restrictions on what or how she could
photograph. You let them stand in a vacuum without commenting. I was
surprised that you did not point out that this is what the USSR was like
fifty years ago. Remember the Intourist experience? Historical context
is important. North Korea may be unique in today's world but not that
different from Greater Russia and China in the second half of the 20th
century.
Aug. 20 2014 01:29 PM
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Ed from Larch - and so? You know the old adage, when speaking a point should at some point be made. Wheres yours?
Aug. 20 2014 01:03 PM
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I would not characterize Korean
cuisine as "mostly" barbecue. The New York restaurant experience, which I
presume is the basis for Mr. Lopate's remark, does not accurately
encapsulate it any more than Chinese or Italian restaurants reflect
their respective cuisines, something I'm sure the uber-cultivated ;) Mr.
Lopate would readily agree with.
Aug. 20 2014 01:01 PM
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Camp 14, that is all I have to say.
Aug. 20 2014 01:00 PM
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Korea is an acceptable English
name for all parties. The Chosun question was pretty lame, Mr. Lopate.
You really need to do some basic prep before interviews and not rely so
much on background summaries provided by your interns and staff. It's
especially transparent when you spout some factoid and attempt to cover
up your lack of effort by adding, "isn't it?" or "aren't they?", a
long-time verbal tic on this program.
Aug. 20 2014 12:54 PM
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Korea is an acceptable English
name for all parties. The Chosun question was pretty lame, Mr. Lopate.
You really need to do some basic prep before interviews and not rely so
much on background summaries provided by your interns and staff. It's
especially transparent when you spout some factoid and attempt to cover
up your lack of effort by adding, "isn't it?" or "aren't they?", a
long-time verbal tic on this program.
Aug. 20 2014 12:52 PM
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The Catholic Church is an
extremely hierarchical organization and has been for millennia, so I
would not say the Korean power structure was threatened by "it's [sic]
equality" so much as by subjects owing allegiance to anyone besides the
established authorities.
Aug. 20 2014 12:32 PM
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When the pope arrived in South Korea, North Korea lobbed four missiles into the sea as a ... greeting.
Aug. 20 2014 08:53 AM
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Having just watched the pope's
wonderful 5-day trip to South Korea, really a trip for the whole of
Asia, where he celebrated Mass for the Asian Youth Day, and where he
beatified 123 Korean martyrs (they were martyred because the Church by
it's equality threatened the social structure of Korea at the time - all
lay people, one priest), and where he said his last Mass there as a
Mass for the reconciliation of North and South Korea - South Korea is
about 10% Catholic - we learned that although there are no priests in
North Korea (except hidden short visitors) there is a group of
underground Catholics in North Korea - but of course no one knows how
large since they are completely suppressed.