Atlanta-based, Grammy® Award-winning band Casting Crowns received a rare invitation to participate in North Korea’s 25th Annual April Spring Friendship Art Festival in Pyongyang, D.P.R.K last week. Casting Crowns played three standing room only shows April 11th-13th at the high-profile event which emphasizes artistic exchange and the promotion of peace and goodwill within the country.

Performers from around the world were invited to the festival with Casting Crowns being the only native U.S. band to attend. Global Resource Services (G.R.S.), a U.S. based humanitarian organization, has worked in North Korea for the past ten years, and cooperated with the organizing committee of the Friendship Art Festival to facilitate the band’s participation.

The band incorporated a few Korean favourites into its live show including the popular song White Dove, Fly High which is recognized as an anthem for peace. The band’s rendition of the song was warmly received by the full-capacity crowd. The Vice Chairman of the festival personally shared his gratitude to Casting Crowns for their participation and especially for the beautiful performance of the peace song. He further expressed his hope that groups like G.R.S., Casting Crowns and the people of the D.P.R.K. can work together to bring unity and peace.

For more on Casting Crowns, visit their YMZ artist page.