To the Creative Workers and Artistes of the National Symphony Orchestra

I, in the name of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, extend warm congratulations and greetings of encouragement to the creative workers and artistes of the National Symphony Orchestra on greeting its 80th founding anniversary with a sense of honour and pride in having glorified its brilliant history together with our beloved motherland.

Quite extraordinary are the remembrances of the history of the meaningful Moranbong Theatre and of the National Symphony Orchestra that have aroused emotions among the people with the solemn and characteristic sounds of the works of mixed orchestra of our own style.

Having proclaimed its birth as the first orchestra of a new Korea on August 8, 1946 with the playing of Song of General Kim Il Sung, it powerfully demonstrated the ideological will and strong aspiration of all the people to achieve civilization and prosperity with a soaring spirit and mettle for nation building; it has injected renewed vitality and vigour into social progress with model masterpieces of the times. These are etched in the pages of our history. 

In the days when the country was experiencing harsh trials, the creative workers and artistes of the orchestra willingly followed the arduous road and rendered support to the revolution with the musical instruments as a weapon of struggle. In the decades that seethed with creation and construction, they proudly sang of the worthwhile life of the people who were shaping a rosy future with affection for their socialist country. In this way, they offered great encouragement to the progress of our cause. These feats of theirs are never trifling.

From the first days of its founding, it has portrayed the songs of praise of our Party and socialism as orchestral works and symphonic suites and medleys, thus presenting them as monumental masterpieces. Its creative activities constitute patriotic feats that recorded in history by dint of solemn and fresh sounds the victorious course our glorious Republic has traversed.