During your time in Pyongyang, what is it like visiting the Mansudae art studios? Are they open to the public for tours? Do you have photos? Is it like art school, community-orientated?

For me it is now a very familiar place. When I am there I spend many hours talking about various matters with different people. I have many photos but I am not a good photographer. I never found any restriction at making pictures. In the Mansudae, which is about 30 acres, there is also a commercial gallery, which can be visited by the very few tourists. The other parts are normally not open to tourists because are working spaces. The place is somewhat similar to an American University campus (it even has a soccer field) but absolutely is not a school. There are about 4000 people, about 1000 of which artists, as I said before practically all university graduates so that their ages are not those of students. There are all kinds of artists’ studios, among which those of sculptors of monumental statues. There are laboratories, shops, supply departments, etc. There is one large gallery, a kindergartner, a sort of cafeteria and several other kinds of buildings. I have not visited everything. The people do not live inside the Mansudae: they go there only to work and live in their homes in Pyongyang.