African dance and music: Seoul Zoo Nocturne Festival

By Shim Hyun-chul

Staff reporter

The blazing summer sun sets, leaving behind a crimson glow, and the beat of African drums and animal noises resound through the palm trees.

When darkness descends, a fire torch-lit path invites visitors to an otherworldly festival, to sit down by a baobab tree and tune into the rhythms of African dance and music.

Seoul Zoo offers visitors a break from the smelting heat through a nocturne festival featuring live traditional African performances.

The zoo celebrated its centennial last year and will extend its opening hours until 10 p.m. every night until Aug. 31.

Animal lovers need not worry about disturbing animals’ sleep. Rather, visitors should think of ways to have fun with them. Nocturnal animals line the night festival venue, and show off their unique afterhours habits. Tigers, for example, unleash their beastly instincts, and their roars will scare the heat away.

Not to miss is a special exhibition of African relics that offer a peek into the rich culture.

Other popular attractions include the group dance show by 80 pink flamingos and a tightrope walking show by Bo-ram the orangutan. There are corners where visitors can take photographs with ring-tail lemurs or meet newborn baby animals. Couples can enjoy a romantic stroll through the botanical garden.

For more information, visit https://grandpark.seoul.go.kr.