Hanwha Group will be hosting its annual musical event, the “2014 Symphonic Festival with Hanwha,” at Seoul Arts Center from April 1-18, the company said on Sunday.

This marks the 15th year that Hanwha has hosted the event. Up to 20 national orchestras will gather, along with world-class performers invited exclusively for the festival. This way, Hanwha hopes to give back to society and break down the barriers between different regions with music.

“Today, it’s not unusual to see companies host artistic performances, but that was not the case 15 years ago,” said Tae Seung-jin, head of the arts department at Seoul Arts Center. He added that Hanwha’s participation was even more significant considering it started at a time when companies were cutting costs in the wake of the Asian financial crisis.

“Hanwha made a brave decision, not to mention that it has remained committed to the cause for such a long time.” While explaining its rationale behind such efforts, officials said Hanwha believes in “going further together, as opposed to “going faster alone.” This philosophy originates from group chairman Kim Seung-yeon, they said.

This year’s festival will kick off with well-known pieces including Beethoven’s Overture to “The Creatures of Prometheus” and Symphony No. 3, also known as Eroica. Yoel Levi, who was named the chief conductor of the KBS Symphony Orchestra, will take up the baton for these opening performances.

The closing will be conducted by Lim Hun-jeong, who has led the Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra for the past 25 years. This will be the veteran conductor’s final performance.

Other prominent figures in the local music scene, including Sung Si-yeon, who was named the first female chief conductor of a national orchestra, are expected to take part in the event.

Internationally acclaimed pianist Boris Giltburg ― winner of the Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition in 2013 ― will also play with the Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra.

Since Hanwha first started to host the event in 2000, more than 320,000 people have attended. Over the years, more than 200 orchestras have taken part in the festival.

Hanwha also has been playing a part in funding pop and classical music performances.

In 2013, it began to host the “Hanwha Classic,” a premier classical music performance. It won appreciation from classical music lovers by inviting world-renowned conductor Helmuth Rilling and the German instrumental ensemble, Bach Collegium Stuttgart.

In 2006 and 2011, Hanwha Group won the highest honor in the national Mecenat Awards.

By Bae Ji-sook  (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)