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| The poster for Art Festival Seoul / Courtesy of Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture |
By Jung Da-hyun
Art Festival Seoul, showcasing a diverse range of art performances and works, is set to kick off on Saturday, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Tuesday. The event will run until Oct. 22.
Art Festival Seoul, introduced last fall, is an art festival brand of the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture (SFAC). It brings together prominent art festivals in Seoul and presents them throughout the four seasons, with the fall edition being the largest in scale.
The details and lineups for each performance were also unveiled.
The Seoul Community Arts Festival at Jamsil Arena in southeastern Seoul will mark the beginning of Art Festival Seoul. This festival, now in its second year, has expanded significantly compared to last year, with over 1,000 citizens from all 25 districts of Seoul participating.
The opening ceremony will feature performances by the Seoul Citizen Choir and an orchestra composed of both citizens and individuals with developmental disabilities. The Seoul Citizen Choir will showcase a wide range of musical genres, including pop music and lyric song cycles with orchestral accompaniment. Additionally, the choir and orchestra will present a joint performance.
Unlike last year, experts and an evaluation group comprising citizens will evaluate club performances, generating increased interest among audiences. A variety of genres, from street dance and K-pop dance to performances featuring Korean traditional musical instruments is expected.
Following the kickoff, the Seoul Street Arts Festival, representing Seoul’s outdoor performing arts scene, will take place around Seoul Plaza, Cheonggye Plaza and Mugyo Road in downtown Seoul from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1.
This festival will engage approximately 170 artists and present various genres through 34 artworks including street art. Except for eight specific art pieces, which will require advanced reservations starting Wednesday, all other exhibitions are free to the public.
Nodeul Island Classic will enchant audiences with ballet and opera performances at Nodeul Island in the Han River. “Swan Lake,” a ballet performance, is scheduled for Oct. 14 and 15 at 6 p.m., while “The Barber of Seville,” an opera, is scheduled on Oct. 21 and 22 at the same time.
Nodeul Island Classic is part of the “Great Han River” project, which aims to develop various leisure spots near the Han River. The city hopes to enhance the appeal of Nodeul Island and leverage this event as an opportunity to showcase the allure of Seoul and the Han River, targeting not only the general public but also diplomats in Korea and international tourists.
In particular, this year’s event will offer enhanced convenience to families visiting Nodeul Island, providing 1,800 seats, a 50 percent increase from last year.
All seats are free of charge, and individuals aged 7 or older can attend. For those interested, 700 seats can be reserved in advance through Interpark starting Wednesday, and applications can also be made on site.