Seoul will be host to many free weekend concerts this April. The photo above shows people enjoying a ‘Concert to be Watched Lying Down’ (누워서 보는 콘서트) at the Yeouido Hangang Park in April 2017.
By Lee Kyoung Mi and Kim Young Shin
Photos = Seoul Metropolitan Government
Seoul is welcoming the warmer weather by hosting a range of free weekend concerts for springtime picnickers at many different places across the metropolis this April.
Every Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., visitors to the Yeouido Hangang Park can enjoy a "Concert to be Watched Lying Down" (누워서 보는 콘서트). Literally, the audience gets to lie down on large cushion-sofas arranged in front of the stage where acoustic bands and erhu musicians, playing the traditional Chinese two-stringed bow, will perform.
On Fridays and Saturdays throughout April, visitors to Gwangjingyo 8th Avenue, an observatory located at the Gwangjin-gyo Bridge, can enjoy scenic views of the Hangang River as well as evening concerts.
At Gwangjingyo 8th Avenue, a glass observatory on the Gwangjin-gyo Bridge overlooking the Hangang River, an evening concert will be held at 7 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. Artists will play musical pieces from different genres, such as R&B, pop and musicals. Reservations for the show’s 50 seats can be made at the venue’s website (http://www.riverview8.co.kr).
At the Hangang River's Banpo, Mangwon and Ttukseom parks, a total of 100 teams of artists will perform pantomime, musicals and play some traditional Korean gugak music.
Along the Seoullo 7017 walkway, the linear arboretum that passes over Seoul Station, some international events featuring artists from Kazakhstan, Spain and France await visitors.
On April 15, an event to celebrate Kazakhstan’s biggest holiday, Nauryz, will be held on the raised parkway. On April 21 and 22, there will be a small festival to mark St. Jordi’s Day, the Spanish equivalent of Valentine’s Day. Each of these events will offer traditional performances and delicious snacks.
From April 19 to May 6, “Catalonia From Above,” an art exhibition by French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand, will be held along the linear parkway.
For people who are looking for something more traditional, the Bukchon Hanok Village will host hands-on events every Friday in April.
The Bukchon Cultural Center, the Seoul Hanok Center and the Bukchon Community Library invite non-Korean visitors to traditional recitals and to a guided tour around the Hanok Village every Saturday.
More details about each weekend event can be found at the links below:
Hangang Park website
http://english.seoul.go.kr/life-information/natural-attractions-parks/hangang/00-parks-hangang-river/
Seoul Hanok
http://hanok.seoul.go.kr/front/eng/index.do
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