Looking around for something of interest in Korea?
It can be hard to find information on festivals and events around the nation, but since this year is Visit Korea Year, finding something to do in your neck of the woods should be easy.
The Visit Korea 2001 committee has a ton of special events, promotions and festivals lined up over the coming 12 months, in locations all over the country.
Around Seoul, you can look forward to, amongst other things, the fifth Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival. That's fantastic as in fantasy, adventure and romance, the genre of film being screened in Puchon City July 13 to Aug. 21.
In September Kwachon City hosts the Kwachon Madangguk Festival which includes a theater workshop and joint performances of street theater from Korean and overseas acts.
Hanok Village, on Mt. Namsan in Seoul, will be putting on traditional art performances every week.
For more information about events in Seoul, you can go to www.tourism.metro.seoul.kr.
Outside Seoul the fare is much richer.
[Arts and culture]
The now world-famous Pusan International Film and Music Festival, Sep. 27 - Oct. 25, will coincide with the International Rock Festival in September, and the International Film Festival, held in October. Top films from around the world, as well as shorts and documentaries are all on screens.
The event offers film buffs a chance to hob nob with some big names in the film industry as Pusan continues to raise its profile on the world film festival stage.
Around the same time is the Chonju International Sori (Sound) Festival (Oct. 13 - Nov. 28). Chonju, the birthplace of the traditional Korean music style "pansori", and known as the "city of arts," plays host to a festival featuring music from all over the world.
Korea's largest island, Cheju, will transform itself into a huge display, exhibiting the cultural features of islands around the world, in the World Festival for Island Cultures, running May 19 - June 17.
Arguably the biggest event featuring traditional Korean arts is the Andong Mask Dance Festival, held on the banks of the Naktong River in Andong, October 5 - 15. The festival, begun this year, features the famous mask dances as well as other traditional folk arts and ceremonies.
[Food]
For food lovers, the highlight of the 2001 calendar may well be the World Food Festival, Oct. 20-23. At Nakanupsong, South Cholla province, enjoy cooking, and eating, traditional Korean foods. Kwangju, meanwhile, is putting on a kimchi festival, complete with kimchi making contests, and folk art displays.
If you're still not satisfied, the Korean Traditional Drink and Cake Festival will be held on the Pomun Lake Resort, Kyongju (March 31 - April 2), and one of several World Ginseng Festivals is to be held at Kumsan (Aug. 25 - Sep. 3), for those in need of a little more stamina.
[Natural wonders]
North Cholla province offers up three festivals for nature enthusiasts, the Mt. Maisan Cherry Blossom Festival (April 17-21), Muju Bandy (Firefly) Festival (June 10-14) and Mt. Naejang Maple Festival (Nov. 2-5).
There's also the Chindo Yongdung Festival (May 4-6), celebrating the special low tide that comes once a year forming a land bridge between the mainland and the island from Kagyeo beach.
Those looking for a little fun with their nature might want to check out the Boryeong Mud Festival (July 14-17), in Chungcheong-do.
[Sports]
The first big sporty event is on right now, the Fun Ski & Snow Festival, running December 2000 through March 2001 at various ski resorts throughout Kangwon province.
In July, you can see top martial arts experts go at it in the World Taekwondo Festival in Chungchong province. Along with the competition, there will also be exhibitions of other Korean martial arts.
On June 10, Ironman Assia will hold its triathaloonnnn competition on Cheju Island. For sport of a slightly different nature there's the Chongdo Bullfighting Festival (March 16-22).
There are of course many other events and festivals during the year. Chunchon, in Kangwon province, even has an International Mime Festival, if that's your thing, not to mention the Kosong Dinosaur World Festival.
In addition to these special events, there are a number of promotions running throughout the year, like competitions and special offers for Visa card holders.
For in-depth information on all festivals in Korea this year visit the homepage of the Korean Tourism Office (www.knto.co.kr).
By Beth McMullan Staff reporter
Korea Herald
2001.01.12
|
Newsdesk