Seoul looking to introduce itself at first city festival

The first Hi Seoul Festival begins tomorrow, with ambitions of becoming the capital city’s premier annual festival. Under the slogan “Open Your Seoul,” it features the history and traditions of Seoul, as well as the best of its modernity.
The festival kicks off at 4 p.m. tomorrow at City Hall Plaza.
One of the primary programs is the “Concert of Youth.” It starts with a dance competition, “B-Boy Battle,” featuring young Korean male dancers break-dancing to the beats. You can see the moves of T.I.P., the troupe that won the “Battle of the Year 2001,” held in Germany. Live bands follow, presenting the best in alternative and underground K-Rock today, including Deli Spice, Roller Coaster and 3d Line Butterfly.
Sunday’s highlight is the “Parade for Citizens,” which gets underway at 1 p.m. at Dongdaemun Stadium and travels down Jongno to Gwanghwamun, finishing at City Hall Plaza. The parade will have patrol cars, honor guards, traditional military bands, drum-and-fife bands, Korea-Japan lion dancers, in-line skaters, costume play, pets and, of course, citizens.
There will be a variety of theme festivals on the streets of downtown. The Global Village Festival, from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, brings together food, dance and other aspects of culture from around the world. Expect foods from Mexico, Japan, Brazil, Thailand, Iran, Mongolia and elsewhere. Most dishes will cost between 1,000 and 3,000 won (83 cents to $2.50).
“I think this is a good opportunity for us to give a glimpse of Mexican culture, especially food, to the large population of Seoul,” said Jose Borjon, the second secretary of the Embassy of Mexico.
Other events at the Hi Seoul Festival include lotus lantern making, Korean-style bullfighting, a flea market, a quarter-marathon race and an animation exhibition. sh_p@joins.com

For more information, call (02) 6321-4320 or visit www.hiseoulfest.org.

by Park Sung-ha