Surrealism

Afternoons in Pyongyang were incredibly surreal and striking for several reasons.

The sonority of literally hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren shouting in unison sweeps breathlessly across the city, providing moments of that appear to suggest biblical "ear tingle".
("... shall do such a thing that shall make their ears tingle...")

They kids pracitce after school and on weekends, making the daily pilgrimage to the local sports stadium in order to prepare for Arirang festival.
Streets are bombarded with kids from all across the district, each carrying their own coloured cardbboard placards.

After two years of practice, the big night comes at the end of October every year.
I read an article where Madeline Albright (ex US Secretary of State) paid a visit to the hermit hinterland in 1999.
She described how after dining for the evening, she accepted the invitation for eventide's entertainment, and jumped into the vehicles at the direction of her hosts.

Arriving at what looked like a bleak and empty stadium, she was mightily surprised to reach her seat at witness stadia lights turned on and 200,000 people howling in at the top of their communist lungs.

She was promply treated to what is now become known as one of the most elaborate displays of human performance ever staged.
If treated is an appropriate term to use.

(The picture is from one of my most surreal experinces - the first time seeing thousands of kids waving cardboard together).