Seoul hosts int'l festival seminars

By John Redmond

Korea is a land of many festivals that invite local and foreign tourists to experience a unique range of cultural activities and interesting locations.

Ranging from the Boryeong Mud Festival (where participants are encouraged to bathe in mud), the Icheon Rice Culture Festival (including a rice straw tug-of-war) to the Dongmyo Bamboo Festival (located in a thick bamboo forest) the days of sitting on a tour bus, followed by a whistle-stop tour of a museum and a quick lunch have long gone.

With many local tour companies offering local and international packages, the time was ripe for some heads of local companies to share their experiences.

Organized by Well-Being Tour manager Kim Jee-young, the “2nd Festival Seminar” was held at Chungmu Art Center on Friday between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Aimed at providing a forum for promoting international tourism events, it featured speakers who have organized cross-country races in Australia, to trekking tours in Chile.

“Festivals must specialize in the well-being of development of globalization,” said Kim in an opening address.

The event invited experts to plan for the further development of festivals.

Special guests included representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

These events are held every two years.

“These are the cornerstone of the pioneering spirit we need to make greater connections to other countries,” said Kim.

Photojournalist Jeon Sul presented examples of his work in the Sahara desert, the Australian Outback and the American Rockies.

He praised the work of the local industry and said that he has learned a lot from working overseas.

“We need to work hard and I have aspirations of going one step further," he said.

The evening saw the Interest Festival 20 Awards at the same venue from 4:30 to 5 p.m.

These included prizes for a traditional Mungyeong festival, tourism and a Jeju wildfire festival.

Other awards went to the Yangyang Pine Mushroom Festival and cultural areas such as International Performing Arts Festival.

The festival also recognized the achievements of the Yeoncheon Paleolithic Festival, Gosu Cultural Festival and the Goesan Red Pepper Festival.

Well-Being Tours and C & M Media opened the ceremony.

For more information, contact www.kwfestival.com