Fall in Korea is characterized by pleasant weather with clear skies and
abundant foods from a bountiful harvest. There is even an old saying
that autumn is the season when the sky is high and horses get fat. On
top of that, numerous cultural events and festivities make this season
-- especially October -- all the more exciting.
In fact, October
is officially designated by the government as the "month of culture."
There are a range of festivals, performances, and exhibitions occurring
around the country.
Fans
cheer at the Party Stage for the eighth Jarasum International Jazz
Festival in 2011(photo courtesy of Jarasum International Jazz Festival).
Jarasum International Jazz Festival (October 12-14) is just around the corner. Jeonju Bibimbap Festival
(October 18-21), Daegu Opera Festival (October 12-November 10), Icheon
Rice Cultural Festival (October 25-28), and Busan Fireworks Festival
(October 26-27) are also on the way. Ongoing festivals include Busan
International Film Festival (October 4-13), Gwangju Biennale (September 7
- November 11), and the World Festival of National Theaters (August 30 -
October 28). There are also many less-recognized but interesting
festivals in small towns across the country.
The ninth Jarasum
International Jazz Festival has become so popular in the country that
500 early bird discount tickets sold out in only 90 seconds on June 19.
The festival has attracted many jazz fans, gathering 188,000 spectators
last year alone and a total of 940,000 since the first event in 2004.
The festival turned this once quiet campsite, Jaraseom in Gapyeong
County, Gyeonggi-do (Gyeonggi Province) into a jewel of the
international jazz scene.
Highlights of the festival include a
national showcase in which a country is selected to promote its jazz
heritage and culture. Following the Netherlands last year, this year's
turn is Poland. Four bands from the Eastern European country will
constitute this year's "Focus on Polska."
Tomasz Stanko Quartet will dominate the main stage on the opening night
at 9:30 p.m. The Polish band is one of the four bands that constitute
this year's "Focus on Polska" (photo courtesy of Jarasum International
Jazz Festival). One of the four bands, the
Tomasz Stanko Quartet led by trumpeter Tomasz Stanko, will dominate the
main stage on the opening night at 9:30 p.m. There are ten different
stages set up for the festival. The four-person band also consists of
piano, bass, and drums. The quartet's current lineup debuted worldwide
in 2002 with ECM Records releasing the Soul of Things album. In 2002,
Tomasz Stanko was awarded the European Jazz Prize as Artist of the Year.
Among other recommended artists performing at the main stage
are the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the John Scofield Trio, the Jimmy
Cobb/Larry Coryell/Joey DeFrancesco Trio, the Jeff Lorber Fusion, and
Daniel Humair Quartet New Reunion.
Getting to Jaraseom has
become easier this year with a 40-minute ride on the new ITX Cheongchun
train departing from Yongsan Station to Gapyeong. Otherwise, a bus
leaving from Dong Seoul Terminal (East Seoul Terminal) takes two hours
and 45 minutes. For more information, visit www.jarasumjazz.com or call
(031) 581-2813. Tickets for Saturday are already sold out but those for
Friday and Sunday can still be purchased at www.yes24.com until October
10.
The 14th Icheon Rice Cultural Festival
celebrates bountiful harvests. The event will take place in Seolbong
Park in Icheon, a city known for the high-quality rice cultivated there.
The highlight of the Icheon Rice Cultural Festival is to watch rice
being cooked in a huge iron cauldron so big that people have to use
shovels for the rice (photo courtesy of Icheon Rice Cultural Festival). The
highlight of the event is to watch rice being cooked in a huge
cauldron. The iron pot is so big that people have to use shovels for the
rice. A bowl of steamed rice served with kimchi costs only KRW 2,000.
These
days rice is cooked in an automated rice cooker and it can be done at
the touch of a button. However, here in the festival, it is cooked with
traditional methods. The cauldron is placed over the brazier with
burning firewood. There are various other events including a
rice-cake-making contest.
Getting to Icheon from Seoul takes 60
minutes by bus from Gangnam Terminal and Dong Seoul Terminal, according
to the organizer. There are shuttle buses running from the festival site
to Icheon's bus terminal every ten to 15 minutes. For more information,
visit www.ricefestival.or.kr or call 031-644-4125.
The eighth Busan Fireworks Festival
is
a combination of fireworks, K-pop, and parades. The two-day event is
expected to lure 1.5 million spectators. Magnificent fireworks will be
displayed around Gwangan Bridge. The festival started in 2005 to
commemorate the APEC Summit in the city.
The Busan Fireworks Festival is a combination of fireworks, K-pop, and
parades. Magnificent fireworks will be displayed around Gwangan Bridge
(photo courtesy of Busan Fireworks Festival). The
concert will start at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 26, at Busan Asiad
Stadium, featuring TVXQ and IU. A parade will begin next day at 4 p.m.
with a brass band, martial arts, mimes, and jugglers. The fireworks will
start at 8 p.m. and continue for one hour. For more information, visit
www.bff.or.kr or call 051-501-6051. Concert tickets will be distributed
beginning at 5 p.m. on October 10 at Hyundai Motor dealerships. For more
information, call 02-325-1026.
The four-day Jeonju bibimbap festival is taking place in the city famous for the popular Korean delicacy. The venue of the festival is around Jeonju Hanok Village.
The Jeonju Bibimbap Festival takes place in the city famous for the
popular Korean delicacy (photo courtesy of Jeonju Bibimbap Festival). Celebrities
and chefs will showcase bibimbap-making for visitors to taste. Visitors
can try making their own bibimbap. For more information, visit
www.bibimbapfest.com or call 063-278-2515.
By Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writer