Citizens Can Enjoy St. Patrick’s Day
By John Redmond
Contributing writer
Korea's eighth annual St. Patrick's Day Festival will celebrate 25 years of friendship and diplomatic relations with Ireland along Seoul's famous Cheonggyecheon river on March 15.
The Irish festival, expected to draw a crowd of at least 10,000, will be Seoul's biggest ever celebration of the Irish national holiday and is fitting for the city's ever-increasing reputation as a global destination for business and tourism.
Organized by the Irish Association of Korea in partnership with Diago, the festival will include live traditional Irish and rock music by Irish and Korean performers.
Alongside a cameo performance by Korea's B-Boys, four famous Korean university bands will participate, appealing to young Korean festival-goers.
The festival has been granted the prominent downtown location following consultation and help from the Seoul metropolitan government in an effort to build on the 6,000 people who celebrated the day at Marronier Park in Daehangno last year.
Keith Morrison, chairman of the Irish Assocation of Korea, commented on the relocation, explaining that, ``Interest in the Irish Festival has been growing every year and moving it to a central, downtown location is an obvious move to make it more accessible to foreigners and Koreans. We wanted to build on this success and by working and consulting with the Seoul metropolitan government since last year we had an opportunity to move the festival to Cheonggyecheon ― one of the jewels of the city.''
As well as its long-term partnership with Diageo, the festival is supported by Enterprise Ireland, Korean Air, the Hyatt Hotel, PUMA Korea, the Renaissance Hotel and Woongjin.
According to Keith, ``We have received more help than ever before and it wouldn't have been possible without all the partners' participation. Diageo has been a long-time supporter of the festival and has played a significant role in allowing the Irish association plan more ambitiously and increase the scale of the festival year-on-year.
``Through their sponsorship we have access to a professional event management company to allow us to put on a professionally organized concert and parade. With all volunteers working during the day, outsourcing this responsibility makes it all a lot more manageable," Kieth said. ``This year, we have also received significant funding from the newly opened Global Help Center and we hope to grow this partnership and tap into the potential of the festival at this new location.''
Keith takes his involvement with the Irish Association of Korea very seriously in that it has a large committee and is now more ambitious.
``I'm part of a very enthusiastic, large committee of about 20 active Koreans, Irish and other professionals of Irish heritage living in Seoul,'' he said. ``The committee works ― and has allowed us to be more ambitious with our planning ― because we have a great group of Koreans who have studied in Ireland and lots of people who are willing and passionate about putting together a free international party for everyone.''
Elaborating on why cross-cultural events are important, he said, ``They help everyone understand a little more about each other, form closer friendships and are important celebrations of internationalism and an opportunity for Seoul to show off what a truly international city it is and what a great place it can be to live in no matter what nationality you are.''
And finally, what can the Korean community expect?
``A good party for the whole family! We chose our musical performers to reflect the international nature of St. Patrick's Day. Traditional Irish music will be played by an extraordinarily talented Korean group, Bard, who recently returned from an award winning tour of Ireland. Bard is an example of how more and more young Koreans are learning and embracing aspects of Irish culture," he said.
``We also have four popular Korean University bands, a performance by Korea's famous B-Boy troupe and the festival will be opened by St. John the Gambler (a group of international musicians) and led by an Irishman," he said.
``Elsewhere, we have a cultural exhibition at the Gwanggyo Gallery (located at stream-level along Cheonggyecheon) from the 10th of March and will be on display until the end of the festival on Saturday. We will also have an Irish food stall with free samples Irish food and drinks," he said.
Other fun aspects that can be enjoyed by the whole family include face painting, an Irish photo booth, lots of balloons and an Irish wishing well where some of the luck of the Irish may rub off on anyone who makes a wish!
``The parade which starts at 2 p.m. will be made up of three full marching bands, other musical performance and both Korean and foreign community sports and art and entertainment groups.
About the Irish Association of Korea
The association promotes Irish culture in Korea by organizing events of interest to Irish people in Korea and opportunities for Koreans and other people living in Korea to experience and learn more about Irish life. Among other events, it organizes the St. Patrick's Day festival in which over 6,000 people participate in Seoul every year.
Keith works at Edelman Korea where he consults and helps major Korean companies communicate and grow in the international market.
Following is the 8th Annual St. Patrick's Day Irish Festival schedule, brought to you by the Irish Association of Korea:
St. Patrick’s Day Irish Festival Schedule
March 10-15: Irish Photography and Cultural Gallery at Gwanggyo Gallery, Cheonggyecheon (stream level, some 400 meters east of Cheonggyecheon Plaza)
March 15, 12:30-6 p.m. at Cheonggyecheon Plaza: Bard ― a talented traditional Irish Music band of Koreans fresh from an award-winning Irish tour; St. John the Gambler ― led by an Irishman, this popular and well-supported band will open the festival. Four famous Korean university bands, B-Boys' performance, Irish dancing (as part of Bard's performance), Irish food and drink sampling, and much more.
March 15, 2-3:10 p.m.: 8th Annual Grand Parade - the Main Event: Seoul Metropolitan Police Band; U.S. Army 2nd Infantry Division; U.S. 9th Army Band; Yeomgwang High School Band; over 30 international and Korean clubs and organizations taking part.
March 15, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.: 7th Annual Hooley at Buck Mulligan's, the Basement, Seoul Finance Center, Seoul (tickets 50,000 won, booking in advance advised through Buck Mulligan's ― Tel. 02-3783-0004, e-mail. kmk8463@nate.com).
Other promotional nights throughout Seoul.
March 17: promotional events throughout Seoul's bars and clubs including a special Irish music night at the Wolfhound, Itaewon from 9 p.m.
St Patrick's Day Festivities at the Wolfhound Pub
March 13 - Irish Drink Specials
March 14 - Live Irish Music - One man and his guitar!
March 15 - St. Patricks Day Party Mayhem!
March 16 - Hangover Party - Bloody Mary Specials, Irish Themed Quiz
March 17 - St. Patricks Day! - Live Irish Traditional Music by the 6 Piece Band "Bard"
See the event listings at www.iak.co.kr for more details.