Fun-Time in Seoul

Hi Seoul Festival 2008 to unfurl Aug.9-17 on the Han River, Yeouido


It's summer again and time for the "Hi Seoul Festival 2008,"which is set to run from Aug. 9-17 along the Han River hosted by Seoul City and managed by the Seoul Cultural Foundation.
The annual event is a rollicking fun time for Seoul residents and visitors with various cultural and entertainment events scheduled, including performances by renowned foreign and domestic artists and performers under the artistic direction of Roger Rynd, known for staging exotic and romantic festivities.
The city will give an extra push to the summer fest for those who cannot afford to hit the beaches and mountains or exotic places abroad this year, as higher fuel prices have driven up the cost of all modes of travel.
The city expects many to stay home this summer and, therefore, it feels the "Hi Seoul Festival"should include more attractive things for the sake of those who can't go anywhere to cool their heads this summer.
The city will strive to make the Han a huge space where people can rest their tired souls and take advantage
"Seoul will be a place to come to, not leave from,"city officials in charge of putting the event together said in explaining the work that lay ahead of them to make the festival a dream event.
They cited Avignon, France and Edinburgh, Scotland as models for redevelopment of riverside areas as not only cultural spaces, but also as sites for exciting events for the people to enjoy.
Rynd, who holds a similar position for the Theater REM in Sydney, Australia, will try to turn the river area into an eco-friendly space and show the vitality of Seoul through the natural beauty of the Han, the officials said.
Rynd's resume in the areas of festivals and the arts includes staging the 2001 Olympics for the Handicapped.
Under the direction of the artistic director, the "Hi Seoul Festival"will have on its schedule performances by bands such as Dislocate and the Blacktop Rollers, an Australian Latin music band, to spur cultural exchanges between Korea and Australia, providing a package of both exotic and romantic entertainment to the Korean and international audience.
The event will offer opportunities for Seoul residents to directly participate in the festivities such as the Han River Birdman Competition and the Han River Canoe Festival. Those who want to participate in the events are invited to complete an application through the "Hi Seoul Festival 2008"homepage before July 25.
Included in the performance events are "Monster Ballet"from Aug. 8-12 and the "Van River Fantasy Show,"to be held on a special stage in Yeouido, Seoul. The Han River Fantasy Show is designed to showcase the history of the Han River by using large dolls, renowned foreign musicians and an array of international dancers and acrobats.
The Canoe Festival is the event that is set to end the "Hi, Seoul Festival 2008"scheduled for Aug. 10-15. It is open to anyone and those who want to participate in the canoeing event can register through the festival's homepage. There will be an event with teams made up of foreigners, people from various provinces and Seoulites who will compete against each other for prizes.
There also will be performances by art troupes from 25 local autonomous regions to present traditional art and cultural events indigenous to their regions.
Also on schedule for the exciting summer festival are a variety of bands slated to show off their talents under the Han River Parade event. The bands will perform in such events as "Voice of the River," "Jazz in the Sun"and "Mix It Up, Dance DJ."The city will try to make Seoul "a city full of smiles"during the festival, with all kinds of events to take place all over the metropolitan Seoul area including online programs under the title of "My Mystic Seoul." nw

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon.

(Photo left) A scene from the Han River Birdman Competition. (photo right) A scene from the Han River Canoe Festival.