Spectators enjoy last year's Jarasum Jazz Festival held from Oct. 1-13, 2022 on Jaraseom Island in Gapyeong-gun County, Gyeonggi-do Province.
(Festival's official website)
By Kim Hyelin
Summer is gone along with its heat waves, and autumn has brought high skies and cool weather. With the weather perfect for spending time outdoors, events are being held nationwide.
Enjoying autumn can include reveling in seasonal scenery or trying seasonal food, but how about visiting a festival that suits one's interest? Expats or foreign nationals planning to visit Korea in fall might want to drop by the following four events.
Since autumn in Korea is called "the reading season," lovers of literature should stop by the Seoul International Writers' Festival from Sept. 8-13 on Nodeulseom Island in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District.
Launched in 2006 by the Literature Translation Institute of Korea, this global event seeks to expand opportunities for domestic readers to enjoy literature and offers a space for exchange of Korean and world literature.
The 12th edition of the festival has the theme "Crossing the Bridge of Language." Twenty-four writers from home and abroad will participate in events such as discussions, performances and exhibitions.
This is a scene from last year's art event Kiaf Seoul, which was held from Sept. 3-6 at COEX Mall in Seoul's Gangnam-gu District. (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)
Fans of art from Sept. 6-9 cannot miss Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul at COEX Mall in Seoul's Gangnam-gu District. As one of the country's leading art fairs, Kiaf Seoul this year marks its 22nd edition with 210 galleries -- 137 in Korea and 73 from abroad -- showcasing works by about 1,300 artists.
The fair's eight programs include "Kiaf Plus," which highlights works by young artists; "Inside Insight K-Art" featuring traditional colored paintings; and "New Media Art's Today and Future."
Frieze Seoul will have about 120 galleries from around the world participate with attention focused on those in Asia and Korea. Its booth "Focus Asia" displays galleries on the continent and the session "Frieze Masters" will explore works from ancient times to the 20th century.
An outdoor music event is also on the schedule. The Jarasum Jazz Festival will run from Oct. 6-9 on Jaraseom Island in Gapyeong-gun County, Gyeonggi-do Province.
Performances are slated for Sept. 6 on the evening before the festival and from Sept. 7-9 during the event period by 41 acts -- 19 from abroad and 22 from home.
Free performances on Sept. 6 will include the "Ju Hyun Mi Jazz Project."
Invited foreign acts will play jazz including Richard Bona, a bassist who plays African music, and the jazz guitar duo of gypsy musician Bireli Lagrene of France and Ulf Wakenius of Sweden.
Domestic jazz vocalist Na Yoon-sun's first solo performance will commemorate the festival's 20th anniversary.
This year's Focus Country, an annual program that spotlights jazz and musicians from a select nation, honors Canada, which celebrates its 60th anniversary of bilateral ties with Korea this year.
More information on the events including schedules and reservations are available on their respective websites.
Seoul International Writers' Festival: https://siwf.or.kr/
Frieze Seoul: https://www.frieze.com/
Kiaf Seoul: https://kiaf.org/
Jarasum Jazz Festival: http://jarasumjazz.com/the20th-home
kimhyelin211@korea.kr
