Naminara Republic Foreigner’s Free Festival
Period: Saturday 28th Feb – Sunday 8th of March 2009 – 9 days
Venues: Special event halls on Nami Island, Chuncheon Province, Korea.
Entry fee: free entrance for all foreigners and immigrants in Korea.
Events: Exhibitions, Performances, International Free Market, Workshops, Cultural Hands-on Experiences
About Nami Island:
Nami Island is an internationally renowned tourist destination that attracts from 1,000 to 1,500 foreign visitors a day. Situated 63 km East of Seoul, Nami is a small island in the North Han River in Chuncheon Province. The land area totals 460,000m2 and the island is covered with tall trees and grass, and forms a natural haven for birds and wildlife, as well as human visitors. Throughout Asia, Nami Island is famous as the setting for the KBS TV drama ‘Winter Sonata’, and it is renowned as a clean and peaceful place set apart from the hustle and bustle of urban life.
Nami Island declared its independence as the Naminara Republic on 1 March 2006 and it has issued its own passport, currency, stamps and telephone cards. One of the most important national policies of Naminara Republic is the preservation of it unique natural setting and the promotion of a wide variety of cultural and arts programs with popular appeal. Every year the Naminara Republic celebrates its independence with a cultural festival.
Festival Background:
In anticipation of “Visit Korea” year in 2010, this 3rd Nami Island Independence Festival is also a celebration of Korea’s increasingly multi-cultural society and provides the chance for foreigners and Koreans to better understand one another, through the free sharing of culture. The organizers have given an open invitation to all foreign residents and migrants in Korea to perform or display cultural activities at the festival alongside various Korean cultural groups, and furthermore they are offering free festival entry for all foreigners who show passport or ID. The festival’s program is offering a huge variety of events including musical concerts, art exhibitions, crafts, foreign foods, markets, workshops, folk arts and culture, children’s activities, film festivals and even a singing competition. It truly is a festival with something for everyone.
Getting there:
Visitors can reach Nami Island from Seoul in about 2 hours by car, train, public bus, and there is a direct shuttle bus leaving from Insadong in central Seoul only at 9.30 a.m. each day. There is a short ferry ride across the North Han River to the island. Full details of transport to Nami Island are available in English from: http://www.korea4expats.com/article-namisun-Gangwon.html
More Information: See the Nami Island website (Korean only): http://www.namisum.com
For Nami Island bus details and bookings: Tel: Nami Island Seoul Center (02) 753-1245~8
‘Korea-4-Expats’ website article on Nami Island: http://www.korea4expats.com/article-namisun-Gangwon.html
Festival Program:
In brief (selected highlights):
28 February: Opening Ceremony (Jazz concerts, performance party and fireworks. Fusion music – Beat Storm)
1 March: Independence Day Ceremony / Performances by KaTA and Beat Storm
1-8 March:
- Exhibition of Naminara Republic: The 3rd Creative & Cultural Industries in Beijing 2008
- Exhibition by Foreign Artists from Australia, England, France, Spain and the U.S., including Anna Phillips, Brenda Chat and more)
- Independent Film & Music Festival- Free Market of Artists
- Creative Workshops for Children/Students
7 March: `Sings for Freedom`
- Performances by foreign bands, free market, food courts, and more)
8 March: `Draws the Imagination` – Creative workshops for children/students.
Detailed schedule:
‘28 Fest’ (Sat. Feb 28, 2009) Welcome Spring!!! *Mobius parade along the shores of Spring:
• Virgin Voyage of
• Performance
• Congratulatory Parade
*Discovery of Jindo on Nami:
• Korean Classical Music Concert by Jindo County Folk Orchestra
• Signing Ceremony of MOU for Mutual Development of Tourism between Nami Island and Jindo County
• Introducing the Specialties of Jindo
*Memories of Early evening with Chickweed:
• Burincense Art by Kang, Er-Xu from Beijing Olympics
• Bonfire Folk Dance
• Make Your Spring Wish at the Bonfire
• Liu Hong Jun Concert
‘38 Fest’ March 8, 2009 (Sun.)
Be Free on Foreigners’ Island!
• Naminara Amateur Singing Contest for Foreigners
• Happy Band Concert by New Koreans
• US 8th Army Stage band concert
• Independent Film Festival of New Koreans
• Indie-Village Workshop with Foreign Artists
• Handicraft Class of Clay Doll with Yu Chingchung
• Make Your Wish on Bonfire
• Mime Performance
• Performing Art Stage “Sharing Rice Cake”
Other Cultural events between Feb 28 and March 8: – Concerts:
(2/28) Casual Concert
(2/28) Jazz Concert
(2/28) Performance
(2/28) Percussion Concert
(3/1) Congratulatory Parade
(3/1) Flute Ensemble Concert
(3/1) Percussion Concert
(3/7) Relay Concerts by Korean Indie-bands
Exhibitions:
Exhibition in Forest
Exhibition
Exhibition of National Brand Graphics
Exhibition
Exhibition & Handicraft Workshop of Clay Doll by 위칭청
Exhibition of Pakistan Children’s Fieldwork
Exhibition of Chinese children’s Art Works
Exhibition
Travel Fair of Toyama
Travel Fair of Jindo
Travel Fair of Chuncheon
Naminara Republic International Art Exhibition
Lessons/ Workshops / Markets
Lessons: Traditional Potter’s Wheel, Clay Doll, Glass Art
Imaginative Arts – Workshop with Recycled Materials
Early Spring Flowers in Baby Pot
International Flea Market
Free Market by Artists
Garage Sale held by new Koreans and Foreigners
Marching for Hope – UNICEF Program to Support Children in Gaza
Awoo Doll Exhibition – UNICEF Program to Save Children’s Lives
Presentation of the Selected Films from the Korean Independent Art Film Festival
Presentation of the Selected Animations
Credit: english.visitseoul.net
*หากต้องการนำข้อมูลบางส่วนของ www.koreastory.org ไปอ้างอิงกรุณา link กลับมายังหน้านั้นด้วย*
