By James Crook

gwangju 2015 logoJuly 11 - Gwangju 2015 is preparing to take centre stage next week when it receives the Universiade flag at the closing ceremony of Kazan 2013 and provides a show of cultural performances to mark the beginning of the road to the South Korean city.

The flag handover ceremony will take place at 22:00 local time at the newly-built Kazan Arena when the ongoing Summer Universiade reaches its conclusion on July 17.

The Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, Kang Un-tae, will receive the flag from International University Sports Federation (FISU) President Claude-Louis Gallien after it is handed back by the Mayor of Kazan, Ilsur Metshin.

Kang will then deliver a speech reiterating the core values of the Gwangju 2015 Universiade - eco-friendliness, peace, IT and culture, which make up the "EPIC" vision, and promise a successful Universiade in the South Korean city.

park aeriSouth Korean classical musician Park Aeri will open the show when Gwangju receives the Universiade flag

A display of cultural performances will follow the handover, blending the current popular K-pop style of music with traditional performances, with the likes of classical musician Park Aeri and Hallyu boy band EXO set to appear.

Park will open the Gwangju show supported by South Korean dancers in the first theme, "Gwangju's Desires", before the second theme "Light of Creation, Light of the Future" is conveyed by dancers in LED illuminated costumes, and EXO, who reached number two of the Russian K-pop charts with their single The Wolf and the Beauty, will perform a medley of songs under the third theme, "The Excitement of Korea".

boy group EXO 21EXO will perform a medley of K-pop songs at the flag handover ceremony

The show will then close with all cast members taking to the stage to convey the final theme, "Invitation to Gwangju", in which they will sing traditional folk song Quejina chingching nanae.

Gwangju 2015 secretary general Kim Yoon-Suk said: "In order to effectively show the traditional culture of Korea and introduce the Gwangju Universiade to the people of the world in such a short time, we have prepared a performance which will leave a deep impression on the viewers."

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