3rd Delphic Games Close a Day Early on Jeju Island
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
The 3rd Delphic Games, an international cultural and arts competition and festival, will close today one day earlier than scheduled.
``We've decided to close the event one day earlier on Sept. 14 when all of the contests and festivals are actually done. Also, we're expecting to relieve concerns over the possible infection of the influenza A (H1N1) among participants and visitors,'' Kim Bu-kyung, an organizer, said.
The organizing committee said that there is no problem on the original schedule as no other events except for the closing ceremony are planned on Sept. 15.
The modern cultural ``Olympics'' was one of the festivals which have forced to take place because it's the international event despite the central government's recommendation to cancel or downsize the event due to the flu concerns.
The organizing committee has prepared sanitary staff to help visitors and participants keep safe from the influenza A with masks and hand washers that were provided on the venues.
The international event kicked off on Sept. 9 under the theme of the ``Tuning Into the Nature'' in various venues such as Sinsan Park, Jeju Culture & Art Center, Jeju National University, Halla Art Hall and Jeju Museum of Art on the nation's southern resort island.
About 600 participants from 54 countries have taken part in competitions of six categories and 18 disciplines for various cultural fields such as crafts, performing arts, architecture and literature and the performing arts festivals.
The closing ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. at Sinsan Park on Jeju Island.