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2011 Spring Events: Cherry Blossoms, Marathon, Liquor Festival, Martial Arts and More

03/31/2011 – 09:07
Gyeongju Cherry Blossoms

Gyeongju Cherry Blossoms

It’s finally beginning to feel a bit like spring around Gyeongju, which means we’re just days away from that magical season when the cherry trees begin to bud and then blossom.  Entire streets in Gyeongju turn into marshmallow wonderlands and romantic couples stroll through flurries of pink petals.  I already posted last spring on some of the best places in town to check out the cherry blossoms, like at Kim Yu-shin’s tomb and the ruins of Banwolseong fortress, so I won’t repeat myself here.  Korea’s wizards of meteorology have gazed into their crystal balls and have predicted Gyeongju’s cherry flowers (벚꽃)  will begin blossoming between now and April 8th and that the peak season this year should be April 6th – 15th. read more »

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2011 Taekwondo World Championships (세계태권도선수권 대회)

03/07/2011 – 17:18
Official Taekwondo World Championships Poster (from 2011taewondo.org)

Official Taekwondo World Championships Poster (from 2011taewondo.org)

Recent visitors to Gyeongju might be a bit befuddled by the flashy banners hung all over town proclaiming “2011 Gyeongju WTF!”  No, this is not another misguided English marketing slogan sponsored by the Gyeongju Tourism Board (“Historopia” anyone?).  And if you stop sniggering for a minute, I’ll be happy to explain.  This spring Gyeongju is proudly hosting the 2011 World Championships of the World Taekwondo Federation.  But then, you probably already guessed that from the title of this post. read more »

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Winter News: Martial Arts Demos, AREX and More

02/01/2011 – 00:01
Seonmudo Demo, Golgulsa Temple (photo by Andrew Peet)

Seonmudo Demo, Golgulsa Temple (photo by Andrew Peet)

If you’ve not seen the signs around town recently, Golgulsa Temple (골굴사) has started hosting daily demonstrations of Seonmudo (선무도), or “Zen Martial Arts.”   Golgulsa has been the center of a Seonmudo revival over the last few decades, so the demos are free and are scheduled for both 11 am and 3 pm every day except Monday.  I’ve visited Golgulsa many times over the years and have had the pleasure of seeing a few demos before (in fact I posted a video of one back in August).   But my brother-in-law was visiting last week, so we stopped by to check it out on our way back from King Munmu’s tomb at the coast. read more »

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Top 10 Events Around Gyeongju in 2011

01/21/2011 – 10:15
Daeboreum Full Moon Bonfire Festival 2010

Daeboreum Full Moon Bonfire Festival 2010

It seems like local events have a way of sneaking up on me around here.  I try my best, but I have a way of hearing about them right before, or worse, just after they happen.  As my New Year’s resolution is to get a head of things for a change, here’s a list of my top 10 local events to look forward to during the next year:

1. Daeboreum (대보름) Full Moon Bonfire Festival: Slated this year for Thursday Feb. 17th, Daeboreum celebrates the first full moon after Solnal (설날), or the Lunar New Year.  If it’s anything like years past, the city government will set up a huge bonfire in the parking lot by the river, across from the Express (시위) Bus Terminal.  Around 5:30 or 6:00 pm they’ll light up the bonfire, and while it burns people play “gangang  sulae” (강강수래) folk games and sing songs.  It’s a fun evening out so bring your camera or just come and join in the games. read more »

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December Events in Gyeongju

12/03/2010 – 11:46

Seorabol Cultural Center (image from www.gjcwc.or.kr)

Seorabol Cultural Center (image from www.gjcwc.or.kr)

There are a few things going on in Gyeongju this month that I thought I’d mention here.  First, I recently heard that the Buddhist Art Majors at Dongguk University are currently holding an exhibit of their work at the Seorebol Cultural Center (서라벌 문화회관).  The Buddhist Art Program at Dongguk University is pretty unique as it focuses on traditional styles of Korean Buddhist art, such as painting temple murals.  I had the pleasure of viewing some the students’ work on campus before and it’s fairly impressive.  Unfortunately this current exhibition only runs until next Tuesday, Dec. 7th, so try to catch it this weekend, if you can. read more »

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A Night of Traditional Music at Dongguk

11/18/2010 – 23:34
Traditional Music Concert at Dongguk Next Tuesday

Traditional Music Concert at Dongguk Next Tuesday

There’s usually a lot of concerts going on at Dongguk University , but this next Tuesday night is a particular performance that I’d like to give a special plug here.  It’s being organized and produced by Dongyoon Hwan, who’s a music major that I’ve learned to know at Dongguk’s International Lounge this semester.  He’s just gotten back from a year and a half in London where he was a professional musician and also did a fair bit of busking.  Since being back in Korea he’s had a vision to share Korean traditional music with the foreign community here in Gyeongju, so he’s organized this concert on his own initiative and by his own funding, which I think is pretty cool. read more »

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The Quiet Beauty of the Gyeongju Cultural Center (경주문화원)

11/06/2010 – 20:07
Front Gate, Gyeongju Cultural Center

Front Gate, Gyeongju Cultural Center

Downtown Gyeongju can sometimes seem a mess of cars, cluttered streets and concrete buildings.  Yet tucked behind the Police Station, is the quiet oasis of the Gyeongju Cultural Center (경주문화원) with its lovely traditional architecture and serene gardens.  It has a relaxed, unassuming sort of beauty and, although it’s not quite Bulguksa, it’s home to a fair bit of local history in its own right. read more »

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Fall Festivals and Events

09/06/2010 – 22:44
Andong Mask Dance Festival (image from maskdance.com)

Andong Mask Dance Festival (image from maskdance.com)

Every Korean knows that Fall brings the best weather to the peninsula.  It’s not stifling hot nor freezing cold and you aren’t plagued with the pollen and yellow dust brought by Spring.  And thanks to all this great weather, every city and town in Korea has to host some sort of festival.  Most of them are pretty cool, though a few get a little wacky, like the Gangyeong Fermented Seafood Festival. read more »

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Dongguk University Lantern Lighting: 2010 Highlights

05/18/2010 – 10:07
Samulnori Dancers, Dongguk University Gyeongju

Samulnori Dancers, Dongguk University Gyeongju

I mentioned a few weeks ago Dongguk University held it’s lantern-lighting ceremony in honor of Buddha’s Birthday on April 29th.  As it turned out, the 29th was also declared a National Day or Mourning in honor of the 46 sailors who died in the sinking of the “Cheonan” on March 26th. Unfortunately this meant all celebrations had to be canceled or seriously toned down out of respect for the solemnity of the occasion.   The ceremony still went on, but without the usual festive barrage of balloons, lanterns and fireworks. read more »

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Dongguk Lantern Lighting Ceremony: Thursday, April 29th

04/26/2010 – 18:29
Dongguk University Lantern Parade 2009

Dongguk University Lantern Parade 2009

We’re almost to the end of April which means we’re just a month away from my favorite Korean Holiday: Buddha’s Birthday, or Seokgatanssinil (석가탄신일). This year Buddha’s Birthday falls on Friday, May 21st and all of the temples around town are getting ready to hang their lanterns.  As a Buddhist school, Dongguk University is preparing for its annual lantern-lighting ceremony this Thursday evening, April 29th.  It’s open to the public, so if you’re local or passing through town this Thursday, you should definitely come down and check it out.  I went last year and it was pretty cool.  read more »

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