Prime festivals casualties of unfounded flu fears
Published: 19 Oct. 2009, 22:57
One of the biggest consequences of the new flu virus in Korea has been the huge number of event cancellations this year, including several large ones. In fact, more than 220 events were nixed because of the flu, roughly one-third of which were festivals. The casualties included some of the fall’s biggest events, including the Jinju Namgang Lantern Festival, the Andong Mask Dance Festival and the Seoul International Fireworks Festival.
Many people were upset. “The Andong Mask Festival [and associated fireworks at Hahoe] is something I’ve been looking forward to for the past couple of months,” writes samedi.
Of the Andong festival, kushibo writes, “This is a great festival. I enjoyed it a lot.” Malia adds, “I feel sorry for all those, including myself, who already bought their airline tickets and charged their hotel rooms for the festival, especially since this was on such short notice. Hopefully I’ll be able to still visit Hahoe Village and see some Korean mask dancing.”
Stafford writes: “Disappointed about the Lantern Festival, but this is just too much. Worst. Autumn. Ever.” Chuck writes, “This is getting nuts, has there been any other country with such large-scale cancellations as this over this bug?”
David echoes the sentiment: “[It’s] tragic for Korean tourism overall and for the residents who might have enjoyed these events. They proliferate wildly, but each offers something unique and worthwhile - and just a break from normal everyday .?.?. life in Korea.” The government strongly suggested that organizers of any event expected to attract at least 1,000 guests over two or more days cancel in the name of the flu, and many complied. Some organizers axed their events only to later reverse the decision, as was the case with Gwangju’s Chungjangno Festival. “I really don’t understand why they’re canceling festivals. Why not cancel life? Quarantine everyone indefinitely!” writes Jelly. Ton180 adds, “Funny how these events have been canceled, but the [Pusan International Film Festival] seems O.K.”
It’s fair to ask whether a festival is any more dangerous than any crowded area in the country, like a department store or a bus terminal. “Is there any other way to interpret this stampede of cancellations other than mindless panic?” writes Douglas.
However, there is reason to believe festival organizers are simply using the flu as an excuse to cancel events and save money. “I take the position that these cities are canceling the festivals because they simply can’t afford them in these economic times,” writes Puffin Watch. The flu “is just a face-saving way of canceling.”
Aaron writes: “A friend of mine’s school just canceled their autumn festival today and are going to have class instead. Now, tell me what is the difference, relative to catching swine flu, in having class as opposed to a closed school festival? I think this is turning into a convenient way to save money.” And 3gyupsal adds, “This is extremely cowardly canceling these festivals.” “This hysteria is getting ridiculous,” writes Keith. “All the government can do is teach people how to be more hygienic and provide the necessary items to achieve that goal. Instructing the Korean people how to put their hands over their mouth when sneezing or coughing is one way .?.?. Making it O.K. to stay home if they feel the slightest [bit] sick is another. Providing all the schools with soap and warm water [as well as hand sanitizer gel] is another .?.?. I think there are far greater health risks Korea should focus on, like deaths and injuries caused by careless driving and disregard of traffic laws.” Ryan makes some of the same points. “This is a knee-jerk reaction on a country-wide scale, I’ve never seen anything like it. Little do these festival organizers know that you are more likely to die on the roads as a pedestrian in Korea than die from swine flu. In reality it’s the small business owners who suffer through this irrational fear.”
These comments were collected by Brian Deutsch from recent blog posts. To read more, visit his blog Brian in Jeollanam-do at: http://briandeutsch.blogspot.com/.
*Readers are welcome to send suggestions for topics that they wish to be covered or blogs that they would like to see featured in this column. Please e-mail us at: [email protected].
By Brian Deutsch Contributing Writer
Many people were upset. “The Andong Mask Festival [and associated fireworks at Hahoe] is something I’ve been looking forward to for the past couple of months,” writes samedi.
Of the Andong festival, kushibo writes, “This is a great festival. I enjoyed it a lot.” Malia adds, “I feel sorry for all those, including myself, who already bought their airline tickets and charged their hotel rooms for the festival, especially since this was on such short notice. Hopefully I’ll be able to still visit Hahoe Village and see some Korean mask dancing.”
Stafford writes: “Disappointed about the Lantern Festival, but this is just too much. Worst. Autumn. Ever.” Chuck writes, “This is getting nuts, has there been any other country with such large-scale cancellations as this over this bug?”
David echoes the sentiment: “[It’s] tragic for Korean tourism overall and for the residents who might have enjoyed these events. They proliferate wildly, but each offers something unique and worthwhile - and just a break from normal everyday .?.?. life in Korea.” The government strongly suggested that organizers of any event expected to attract at least 1,000 guests over two or more days cancel in the name of the flu, and many complied. Some organizers axed their events only to later reverse the decision, as was the case with Gwangju’s Chungjangno Festival. “I really don’t understand why they’re canceling festivals. Why not cancel life? Quarantine everyone indefinitely!” writes Jelly. Ton180 adds, “Funny how these events have been canceled, but the [Pusan International Film Festival] seems O.K.”
It’s fair to ask whether a festival is any more dangerous than any crowded area in the country, like a department store or a bus terminal. “Is there any other way to interpret this stampede of cancellations other than mindless panic?” writes Douglas.
However, there is reason to believe festival organizers are simply using the flu as an excuse to cancel events and save money. “I take the position that these cities are canceling the festivals because they simply can’t afford them in these economic times,” writes Puffin Watch. The flu “is just a face-saving way of canceling.”
Aaron writes: “A friend of mine’s school just canceled their autumn festival today and are going to have class instead. Now, tell me what is the difference, relative to catching swine flu, in having class as opposed to a closed school festival? I think this is turning into a convenient way to save money.” And 3gyupsal adds, “This is extremely cowardly canceling these festivals.” “This hysteria is getting ridiculous,” writes Keith. “All the government can do is teach people how to be more hygienic and provide the necessary items to achieve that goal. Instructing the Korean people how to put their hands over their mouth when sneezing or coughing is one way .?.?. Making it O.K. to stay home if they feel the slightest [bit] sick is another. Providing all the schools with soap and warm water [as well as hand sanitizer gel] is another .?.?. I think there are far greater health risks Korea should focus on, like deaths and injuries caused by careless driving and disregard of traffic laws.” Ryan makes some of the same points. “This is a knee-jerk reaction on a country-wide scale, I’ve never seen anything like it. Little do these festival organizers know that you are more likely to die on the roads as a pedestrian in Korea than die from swine flu. In reality it’s the small business owners who suffer through this irrational fear.”
These comments were collected by Brian Deutsch from recent blog posts. To read more, visit his blog Brian in Jeollanam-do at: http://briandeutsch.blogspot.com/.
*Readers are welcome to send suggestions for topics that they wish to be covered or blogs that they would like to see featured in this column. Please e-mail us at: [email protected].
By Brian Deutsch Contributing Writer
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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