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This year the Seoul Fringe Festival, Korea's own Edinburgh-style event around Hongik University in Mapo-gu (district), is bigger then ever and bursting with outdoor performances. It is an annual summer event that features music, visual arts, independent film, performing arts and other kinds of street festival at theaters, cafes, parks and any little street corner.
Celebrating its 11th year, this year's festival will take place in the Hongdae district (around Hongik University), which is filled with live clubs and theaters. Over 230 artist groups from over 20 countries including China, Thailand and Hong Kong are expected to participate. The groups will feature dance, plays, music, mime, puppetry and 300 other fusion performances from Thursday, Aug. 14 to 30.
Some 50 teams are to feature a wide variety of genres of music: modern rock, hip hop, jazz, gugak (Korean traditional music) and so on, in Hongdae's so-called “street you wish to walk,” which stretches from Hongdae Subway Station (line number 2) to Hongik University. The street itself will be re-named “Fringe Street” for the next 17 days.
Street walls will also be covered in graffiti art and artwork displays composed of recycled goods. Artist and illustrator Shin Joo-wook plans to fully decorate the walls of the local subway station with photos and paintings to once again stress Hongdae as a culture zone
From Aug. 14 to 19 the highlight will be musical performances by the three-member folk rock band Space Hippie, recognized for their excellent rhythms and touching lyrics, and Aqua Spirit, who offers unique variations of classic songs. Quite a number of live club bands, including fusion gugak (Korean traditional music) band “wHOOL,” and an a cappella group, are also to perform.
This year the Fringe Festival is not all locked up in the Hongdae district. Special programs for this year include an advance program of mime and music that is already running every Saturday night at Seoul's N-Tower atop Namsan. And on Thursday Aug, 19 there will be a “guerilla performance” of street theater to amuse salary workers.
Meanwhile, those who wish to have a better understanding of the fringe festival should join the “Festival Exploration Team.” Guides will be constantly on hand to explain how the festival is organized from start to finish.
Fringe Festivals first began in 1947 at the Edinburgh International Festival in Scotland. It was reserved for small-scale art groups that were not invited to the main event. The art groups would perform spontaneously at the “fringe” of the festival. It has now grown into an alternative festival with doors wide open to professional and amateur groups alike. The festival will be operated jointly by all the participating groups, thus giving more space for wider imagination and experimentation.
For more information visit: Seoul Fringe Festival or call 02-325-8150 (Korean only; call Korea Travel Phone on 1330 for an interpretation service) or email seoulfringe (at) hanmail.net.
Transportation: Come out of exit 6 of Hongik University (Hongdae) subway station (line no. 2) and walk straight for 50 meters. Then go through the alley between VIPS and the Pizza Hut and walk straight for 70 meters to the front gate of Hongik University. Turn right and walk in the direction of the street with the clubs and theaters on the right side towards the Far East Broadcasting Co. (Geukdong Bangsongsa).
This article appeared on www.korea.net
Aug 13, 2008
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