Various events are underway at many places across Seoul in celebration of the 70th anniversary of Korean independence.
The "24 Hours" exhibition at Citizens Hall in central Seoul reconstructs the first 24 hours after the declaration of independence from the viewpoints of Korea, China and Japan. The exhibition is designed to shed new light on the time from noon on Aug. 15, 1945, to midday the next day. It was a day of independence and liberation for Korea, but it was the end of the Second World War in the Pacific and a defeat for Japan. For the Chinese, it was a day to celebrate their resistance. The 24 hours will be reenacted in the form of a radio broadcast.
A pansori concert, traditional narrative singing, will take place at the Eunpyeong Culture and Arts Center in northern Seoul at 6 p.m. on Aug. 14. The "Baekbeom Kim Gu" performance is based on "Baekbeomilji," the autobiography of Kim Gu (1876-1949), an independence activist. The concert will continue for three hours. For reservations, please call 02-351-6520.
On Aug. 15 and 16 there will be a concert at the Yongsan Family Park in Yongsan District, Seoul. The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Music Director Myung-Whun Chung, will perform from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Aug. 15, the 70th anniversary of independence. At the same venue and at the same time on the next day, the Seoul Citizens Philharmonic Orchestra and the Seoul Citizens Women's Choir will hold a concert.
A C-47 airplane will be on display at Yeouido Park in central Seoul beginning Aug. 18. Senior officials from the provisional Korean government in exile in Shanghai took an identical plane on their return trip to Korea. Some videos will be played inside the airplane to help replicate their return trip to Seoul. Yun Gyeong-bin, a 96-year-old activist who actually took the plane along with the other officials in 1945, will be on board once again after 70 years. The airplane will be on display in Yeouido until 2018.
There are also many events at riverside parks along the Hangang River in celebration of the 70th anniversary of independence. An exhibit in which visitors can participate in decorating a Taegeukgi, the national flag, will be held at the Jabeolae, a bug-shaped building on Ttukseom Island, from Aug. 14 to 16.
Another exhibit of children's book illustrations will be held until Aug. 19. The illustrations are of 30 bridges along Hangang River, including the Olympic Bridge and a bridge made of boats used during Joseon times (1392-1910).
Finally, a jazz festival will be held at the Riverview 8th Avenue (www.riverview8.co.kr), a performance hall under the Gwangjin-gyo Bridge, from Aug. 14 to 16. Various jazz performances will be held from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on those days. The concert venue can be reached from Gwangnaru Station on Line No. 5, Exit No. 2 or from Cheonho Station on Line No. 5, Exit No. 2.
By Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos courtesy of the Seoul City Office
jun2@korea.kr
The "24 Hours" exhibition at Citizens Hall in central Seoul reconstructs the first 24 hours after the declaration of independence from the viewpoints of Korea, China and Japan. The exhibition is designed to shed new light on the time from noon on Aug. 15, 1945, to midday the next day. It was a day of independence and liberation for Korea, but it was the end of the Second World War in the Pacific and a defeat for Japan. For the Chinese, it was a day to celebrate their resistance. The 24 hours will be reenacted in the form of a radio broadcast.
A pansori concert, traditional narrative singing, will take place at the Eunpyeong Culture and Arts Center in northern Seoul at 6 p.m. on Aug. 14. The "Baekbeom Kim Gu" performance is based on "Baekbeomilji," the autobiography of Kim Gu (1876-1949), an independence activist. The concert will continue for three hours. For reservations, please call 02-351-6520.
On Aug. 15 and 16 there will be a concert at the Yongsan Family Park in Yongsan District, Seoul. The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Music Director Myung-Whun Chung, will perform from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Aug. 15, the 70th anniversary of independence. At the same venue and at the same time on the next day, the Seoul Citizens Philharmonic Orchestra and the Seoul Citizens Women's Choir will hold a concert.
Key officials from the provisional Korean government in exile in Shanghai boarded a C-47 for their return trip to Korea. A similar C-47 stands on the grounds of a park in Seoul.
A C-47 airplane will be on display at Yeouido Park in central Seoul beginning Aug. 18. Senior officials from the provisional Korean government in exile in Shanghai took an identical plane on their return trip to Korea. Some videos will be played inside the airplane to help replicate their return trip to Seoul. Yun Gyeong-bin, a 96-year-old activist who actually took the plane along with the other officials in 1945, will be on board once again after 70 years. The airplane will be on display in Yeouido until 2018.
There are also many events at riverside parks along the Hangang River in celebration of the 70th anniversary of independence. An exhibit in which visitors can participate in decorating a Taegeukgi, the national flag, will be held at the Jabeolae, a bug-shaped building on Ttukseom Island, from Aug. 14 to 16.
Another exhibit of children's book illustrations will be held until Aug. 19. The illustrations are of 30 bridges along Hangang River, including the Olympic Bridge and a bridge made of boats used during Joseon times (1392-1910).
Finally, a jazz festival will be held at the Riverview 8th Avenue (www.riverview8.co.kr), a performance hall under the Gwangjin-gyo Bridge, from Aug. 14 to 16. Various jazz performances will be held from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on those days. The concert venue can be reached from Gwangnaru Station on Line No. 5, Exit No. 2 or from Cheonho Station on Line No. 5, Exit No. 2.
An exhibit in which visitors can decorate a Taegeukgi, the national flag, will be held at the Jabeolae, a bug-shaped building on Ttukseom Island, from Aug. 14 to 16.
A jazz festival will be held at the Riverview 8th Avenue, a performance venue underneath the Gwangjin-gyo Bridge, from Aug. 14 to 16.
By Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos courtesy of the Seoul City Office
jun2@korea.kr
