St. Patrick's Day to be celebrated

Koreans and expats enjoy dancing together at an Irish-themed festival at
D-Cube City, Sindorim, Seoul, last year. This year's St. Patrick's Day celebration will take place on March 14. / Courtesy of Cho Young-hwi

By Emilee Jennings

This year marks the 14th annual St. Patrick's Day celebration in Korea. Ireland's national day will be celebrated in D Cube City in Sindorim, Seoul, March 14.

The central theme of this year's open-air festival is "Sounds of Ireland." On the day you will hear a variety of instruments like the Irish tin whistle, the fiddle, the accordion and even the Scottish bagpipes.

You can watch a fusion of traditional and modern Irish dance performed by award winning Korean Irish dancers, while listening to the sounds of old style Irish singing and Irish influenced rock music.

This year, the focus is on experiencing the sounds of a country steeped in traditional and historical culture without leaving Seoul.

"The St. Patrick's Day Festival is the perfect opportunity to experience Irish culture and get a feel for the wonderful array of Irish talent here in Korea," said Shauna Browne, chairperson of the Irish Association of Korea, which organizes the event.

The association has entertained and shared the culture of Ireland over the past decade with thousands of Koreans and expats living here.

"For Irish people and for people of Irish heritage, St. Patrick's Day is a very important time to celebrate a culture familiar to them. It's also a chance for Koreans and those from the wider community to learn and experience something new and exciting," Browne said.

The family orientated day has lots of fun activities planned to keep everyone entertained. Young and old from around the globe can enjoy high energy instrumental hip-hop performances, traditional music, rock music, Irish dancing and a "ceili" _ a traditional type of Irish folk dancing in which everyone is encouraged to participate.

There will also be face painting, musical and cultural entertainment and lots and lots of green balloons, the national color of Ireland.

For those who want to enjoy a St. Patrick's Day drink, the Irish Association of Korea will be running an after-party at the Rocky Mountain Tavern in Itaewon from 7 p.m. until 12.30 a.m. This party, known as a "Hooley," is a fundraiser for future events. Tickets are 10,000 won, and will be available at the festival and at the door.

The festivities will begin at 1 p.m. and run until 6 p.m.

You can find out more about St. Patrick's Day on the IAK on facebook or their website (http://www.irishassociationofkorea.kr/).

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