Muju County Aglow from 'Firefly Festival'

Muju County in North Cholla Province is to hold its fourth annual 'Firefly Festival' from June 10-14.

This year's environmental theme of 'air, land, and water' will be showcased in over 80 different events during the five-day festival.

During the festival, the ecological center dedicated to what is unofficially seen as a symbol of environmentalism on the Korean peninsula will open its doors to the public. Here, visitors can test whether the little creatures cast enough light to read by and see the huge collection of photos cataloguing their life cycle.

In addition to the flying 'night-lights,' some 700 other insects indigeneous to Korea call the center home.

One thing that should not be missed is a visit to Sulchon County renowned for its many fireflies.

Also, during the festival, there will be a children's song contest on June 10, a writing contest June 13, and a drawing competition and poetry recital June 14. All students are, of course, encouraged to enter.

A spokesperson for the county of Muju said that their firefly festival has been enjoying so much success that the government has designated it as a 'national' event, despite its short history.

by Jang Dae-suk