[Seoul District News] Eunpyeong-gu to Hold Festival at Bulgwangcheon and Gupabal Meeting Plaza from October 1-8... Integration of Pabalje and Eunpyeong Nuri Festival & Drone Light Show, World Culture Parade, Residents' Singing Contest Festival Relay & Eve Event Featuring Kim Yeonja, Closing Ceremony with Popular Star Aiki... Gangbuk-gu to Host 4th Mountain Culture Festival on October 2 with Diverse Programs Including Trekking and Climbing... Gwangjin-gu Successfully Concludes Autumn Festival ‘Gwangnaru Eoulmadang’ for Resident Communication... Gangnam-gu, October 4 at 3 PM COEX...
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Eunpyeong-gu (Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) announced that the ‘2022 Pabalje·Eunpyeong Nuri Festival’ will be held from October 1 to 8 at Bulgwangcheon, where the autumn atmosphere is deeply felt.
This festival is a combined event of Eunpyeong’s representative festivals, ‘Pabalje’ and ‘Eunpyeong Nuri Festival.’ After a long time due to COVID-19, various programs that everyone can enjoy together have been prepared.
On the first day of the festival, October 1, events such as the ‘Eunpyeong Residents Walking Contest,’ the ‘Resident Autonomy Association Harmony Festival’ presenting programs from 16 neighborhoods, and the ‘Residents’ Day Commemoration Ceremony’ will be held at Bulgwangcheon. At 6 p.m. on the same day, the eve festival will feature a congratulatory performance stage with popular singers including Eunpyeong-gu ambassador Kim Yeon-ja, Kim Hyun-jung, Park Kang-sung, and Jo Kwan-woo.
Throughout the festival, about 80 event booths will operate, featuring various exhibitions, promotions, and experience programs selected through resident participation program contests. Along the Bulgwangcheon walkway, visitors can enjoy unique Pabal games and traditional plays, with a variety of hands-on events and entertainment organized directly by residents.
On October 2 at 1 p.m., the ‘Pabalje Opening Ceremony’ will be held at Gupabal Meeting Square. It will offer various spectacles such as street performances, ensemble drumming, and a send-off ceremony. This year’s send-off ceremony will replace horses with drones performing a connecting performance from Gupabal to Bulgwangcheon. At 4 p.m., the ‘World Culture Parade’ will showcase traditional clothing and music from around the world for participants to experience and enjoy.
At 7 p.m. on the same day, the ‘Integrated Festival Opening Ceremony’ will take place, featuring opening congratulatory performances by dance groups, orchestras, and choirs, followed by a commemorative ‘Drone Light Show’ that will beautifully decorate the night sky.
From October 3 to 7, the ‘Living Culture and Arts Club Festival’ will be held on the Bulgwangcheon floating stage. To alleviate the cultural and artistic activities that have been subdued due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, performances by various local cultural and artistic groups have been prepared. Over 50 teams will participate, presenting diverse stages including orchestras, jazz, samulnori (traditional Korean percussion), dance, instrumental performances, and dance.
On October 7, a residents’ singing contest will be held. A total of 22 skilled contestants, including residents and office workers who passed fierce preliminaries, will participate. The contest will be conducted in a masked singer format to create an enjoyable stage for all.
On the last day of the festival, October 8, at 6 p.m., the ‘Integrated Festival Closing Ceremony’ will be held on the Bulgwangcheon floating stage. The closing performance will feature star performances by Eunpyeong-gu ambassador Aiki, Song Dae-kwan, The One, Kim Tae-woo, La Poem, and others, concluding the autumn festival in style.
Kim Mi-kyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong-gu, said, “Since this is the first fully face-to-face festival in three years after COVID-19, we have prepared new attempts and abundant attractions. We hope everyone enjoys the festival along with the autumn atmosphere.”
Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Soon-hee) will hold the ‘4th Mountain Culture Festival’ on October 2 at the Meeting Square in Ui-dong.
The cultural festival, returning after three years due to COVID-19, utilizes the district’s mountain facilities under the beautiful scenery of Bukhansan Mountain. Notably, this year’s event includes an experience program at the newly opened Bukhansan International Climbing Center, attracting attention.
The event opens at 9:30 a.m. with a Bukhansan trekking event involving mountain club members and residents. The trekking course starts from the Meeting Square in Ui-dong, passes through Harujae, Yeongbong, Yukmojeong Pass, and returns to the Meeting Square, covering approximately 6 km.
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., participants can also enjoy various experience booths. Utilizing historical resources, the district will operate booths such as ▲Mountain VR experience ▲Sprout tea pot planting ▲Handmade Son Byeong-hee lacquer business card case ▲Carbon neutrality pledge handkerchief making ▲Can lid keyring made from coffee grounds ▲Eco-friendly solid kitchen detergent making, allowing visitors to reflect on the importance of the environment.
At the same time, climbing experiences will be available at the Bukhansan International Climbing Center next to the Meeting Square in Ui-dong. Wearing an auto-belay device that assists climbing for safety, anyone can easily try climbing and experience its thrill.
From 7 p.m., an astronomy observation program will be held on the rooftop of the Bukhansan International Climbing Center. Participants can observe stars in the autumn sky through a telescope. This program, limited to the first 50 applicants, will open registration on the ‘Seoul Metropolitan Government Public Service Reservation’ website starting Monday, the 26th.
Various performances are also prepared around the commemorative ceremony held at 1:30 p.m. After the ceremony, performances such as ‘Visible Radio’ with comedian Yoon Taek, who appears on the TV program ‘I Am a Natural Person,’ and the band ‘Travel Sketch,’ which suits autumn, will follow. At noon, there will be the ‘Mountain (樂) Presentation,’ a leisure activity presentation by club members, and at 3:30 p.m., the ‘Youth Dance Song Festival’ featuring middle and high school students will take place.
Lee Soon-hee, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, said, “We hope many residents come with their families to the 4th Gangbuk-gu Mountain Culture Festival, where nature, mountains, culture, and sports activities can be enjoyed together, and have a relaxing autumn time.”
Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Kyung-ho) held the ‘11th Gwangnaru Harmony Festival’ on the 24th at Gwangjin Supnaru, created above the Cheonho-daero tunnel.
The event was conducted in two parts: Part 1, the ‘27th Residents’ Day Commemoration Ceremony,’ and Part 2, the ‘Neighborhood Singing Contest.’ It opened amid enthusiastic cheers and support from residents, as it was held for the first time in three years due to COVID-19.
The ‘27th Residents’ Day Commemoration Ceremony,’ which started at 3 p.m., began with last year’s Residents’ Award recipients reading the Residents’ Charter.
In the subsequent Residents’ Award ceremony, the honors were awarded to ▲Yoon Seok-jong in the Economy and Community Development category ▲Jung Byung-yong in the Volunteer and Donation category ▲Kang Mi-sun in the Filial Piety category ▲Guui Church (Representative Wang Hyun-sung) in the Volunteer and Donation category.
Mayor Kim Kyung-ho of Gwangjin-gu personally presented the awards, with key guests including members of the National Assembly and city and district councilors attending to offer congratulations. Over 1,000 residents attending the event applauded the awardees in unison.
In Part 2, the neighborhood singing contest featured 15 neighborhood representatives competing in singing, showcasing their talents and receiving enthusiastic support from residents.
The honor of Gwangjin-gu’s top singer went to ‘Jayang 2-dong,’ with excellence awards to ‘Guui 1-dong’ and ‘Hwayang-dong,’ encouragement awards to ‘Junggok 2-dong,’ ‘Guui 2-dong,’ and ‘Jayang 1-dong,’ and popularity awards to ‘Gunjang-dong.’
Comedian Jung Eun-sook hosted the event, and popular singers Jung Dong-won and Chae-yeon performed congratulatory stages, raising the festival’s excitement.
At one corner of the venue, the Gwangjin-gu Saemaeul Women’s Association operated a food market selling dishes they prepared themselves. They offered safe and delicious foods such as gimbap and salads, prepared without using heat.
Given the large number of attendees, strict control zones were set for safety, and with residents’ voluntary cooperation and flexible responses from safety personnel, the event was safely concluded without accidents.
Mayor Kim Kyung-ho of Gwangjin-gu said, “The Gwangnaru Harmony Festival is a festival of communication and harmony for the residents who are the owners of Gwangjin. I hope it has been a time for Gwangjin-gu to unite and develop by comforting each other and sharing neighborly affection through the difficult times we have endured together.”
Gangnam-gu (Mayor Cho Sung-myung) will hold the ‘Gangnam Harmony Filial Piety (孝) Concert’ on October 4 at 3 p.m. in the COEX 3rd floor auditorium, inviting about 1,000 elderly citizens in celebration of the Elderly Day on October 2.
Celebrating its 26th year, ‘Elderly Day’ has been designated as a legal commemorative day on October 2 every year since 1997 to promote respect for the elderly and filial piety and to express gratitude for the efforts of seniors who have inherited and developed traditional culture.
The ‘Gangnam Harmony Filial Piety (孝) Concert’ on the 4th is expected to be an occasion to gather local seniors who have played a pivotal role in national development, reflect on the meaning of ‘Elderly Day,’ and convey respect and gratitude to the elderly.
The event is divided into two parts: Part 1 is the commemorative ceremony and award presentation, and Part 2 is the congratulatory performance. In Part 1, a total of 19 people, including exemplary seniors and contributors to elderly welfare who have supported welfare efforts in various ways, will receive certificates of appreciation.
Following this, Part 2, a congratulatory performance linked with Won-eum Broadcasting, will feature famous trot singers such as Song Dae-kwan, Lee Ja-yeon, Park Sang-chul, Hong Jin-young, and Kim Tae-yeon, offering a lively and enjoyable stage for the elderly.
Additionally, to mark October as the month of respect for the elderly, the district will hold neighborhood senior parties that were suspended for two years due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. These parties, held at designated locations in 22 neighborhoods of Gangnam-gu, are occasions to appreciate the efforts of local seniors who have contributed to community harmony and development. They will be conducted with various programs tailored to local conditions and seniors’ preferences.
Mayor Cho Sung-myung of Gangnam-gu said, “I hope this Elderly Day event spreads a culture of respect and filial piety for seniors and brings vitality and joy to elderly citizens exhausted by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to pursue diverse welfare policies for the happy and healthy lives of seniors.”
Yangcheon-gu (Mayor Lee Ki-jae) announced that it will hold the ‘26th Mokdong Rodeo Fashion Street Cultural Festival’ on October 22 after three years to revitalize the depressed local commercial district.
The ‘Cultural Festival’ held on this day is packed with enjoyable experiences that satisfy all five senses as it returns in full splendor.
Along with lively busking performances, the festival will feature ▲food trucks and craft beer markets at street cafeterias ▲street fashion shows promoting the Rodeo shopping district brand ▲car boot and handmade craft markets ▲experience booths (personal color diagnosis, bag making, etc.) ▲and a life photo booth, welcoming visitors with a variety of rich corners.
To create a festival enjoyed with residents, the district is recruiting 30 sellers each for the ‘Car Boot Market,’ a flea market using car trunks, and the ‘Handmade Craft Market,’ selling accessories and decorations, totaling 60 teams by October 7. Interested parties can apply by referring to the notice on the district office website. Selected teams will be provided with tables, chairs, booths, and banners on the festival day.
Mayor Lee Ki-jae of Yangcheon-gu said, “We ask for the interest and participation of residents in the ‘Mokdong Rodeo Fashion Street Cultural Festival,’ full of various happiness to see, hear, eat, and enjoy. We will continue to develop good policies with the Rodeo shopping district merchants’ association members to restore the reputation as Yangcheon-gu’s representative shopping district.”
Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Seung-ro) will hold the ‘26th Seonjam Festival’ on the 30th at Seonjam Complex (64-1 Seongbuk-dong, Seongbuk-gu).
The Seonjam Festival is a Joseon Dynasty ritual, a state ceremony held annually to pray to the sericulture deity, the Seo family, for a bountiful silkworm harvest and sericulture that year. While state ceremonies in the Joseon Dynasty were presided over by the king and men, the Seonjam Festival was uniquely led by women. It began in the Goryeo Dynasty and experienced interruption during the Japanese colonial period. It has been reenacted since 1993, marking its 26th year this year.
Seongbuk-gu, the host of the Seonjam Festival, had planned to hold it in May as usual, but due to social distancing rules to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it was exceptionally held in September.
The ritual ceremony will be conducted for about 60 minutes from 4 p.m. on September 30 at the Seonjam Complex. Before the main ceremony, a procession of ritual officials will proceed from Seongbuk Cultural Center near Hansung University Station to the Seonjam Complex starting at 3:30 p.m., creating a magnificent sight.
Seongbuk-gu, nicknamed the ‘Roofless Museum’ due to the abundance of modern and contemporary cultural heritage scattered throughout the city, is making various efforts to preserve the Seonjam Festival and Seonjam Complex as traditional culture and local historical and cultural resources shared with residents. The Seongbuk Seonjam Museum (96 Seongbuk-ro, Seongbuk-gu), a public museum of Seongbuk-gu, holds academic seminars annually for accurate reenactment of the festival and is dedicated to scholarly verification and research.
Lee Seung-ro, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu, said, “The Seonjam Festival is a ritual uniquely led by women among state ceremonies presided over by men, and it is very interesting that Seongbuk-gu, where the Seonjam Complex is located, is also home to many sewing companies that can be called the forefront of K-fashion dominating the world today. We will strive to register the Seonjam Festival as an intangible cultural heritage, which is a long-standing historical and cultural resource of Seongbuk-gu and an important resource for K-fashion.”
The ‘26th Seonjam Festival’ is hosted by Seongbuk-gu Office, organized by the Seonjam Festival Preservation Committee, and supported by the Jongmyo Ritual Preservation Society, Seongbuk Cultural Center, and the Korea Sericulture Association. For more information, contact the Seongbuk Seonjam Museum.
Following the ‘26th Seonjam Festival,’ from 5:30 p.m., the 9th Seongbuk Festival will be held at the Fountain Square of Hansung University Station on Line 4, featuring numerous local theater groups. Seongbuk-gu, known as the ‘Off Daehangno’ with the highest number of actors residing nationwide, offers a chance to feel its charm. From 7 p.m., the Seongbuk-dong Cultural Heritage Night Walk will proceed, allowing visitors to enjoy the night atmosphere of Seongbuk-dong, called the ‘Roofless Museum,’ where traces of the lives and activities of modern and contemporary cultural artists remain in every alley. This weekend is Seongbuk-dong.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
