The Seoul Metropolitan Government this month on Saturdays is holding an evening ceremony to ring the Bosingak Belfry in the capital's Jongno-gu District to mark the 81st anniversary of national liberation. Shown is a scene from the event on Aug. 1. (Seoul Metropolitan Government)

By Uyen Nguyen

Events throughout Seoul this month are celebrating the 81st Liberation Day (Aug. 15), when the country in 1945 gained independence from Japanese colonial rule.

Both domestic and international visitors can experience the meaning of independence through commemorative events of culture and arts.

On Liberation Day, a commemorative bell-ringing ceremony featuring nine descendants of independence activists is slated at Bosingak Pavilion in the city's Jongno-gu District. An evening ceremony for ringing the Bosingak Belfry is held every Saturday this month except Aug. 15, in addition to performances of "Bosingak Moonlight Busking" and making Hanji (traditional paper) lanterns.

A tour will also explore the history of the independence movement in Seoul. Visits to the movement's historical sites with the city's mascots Haechi and Soul Friends on Aug. 15 departs at 9:30 a.m. from Tapgol Park, where the March First Independence Movement began on March 1, 1919, accompanied by commentary from a professional instructor and followed by a viewing of the bell-ringing ceremony at the pavilion.

Performances under the theme of the joy of liberation and peace through music are also scheduled. On Aug. 14, the "National Liberation Day Unhyeongung Hanok Concert" blending traditional performing arts with electronic music will be held at Unhyeongung Royal Residence. Two days later, the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra will perform Beethoven's Choral (Ninth Symphony) at the Grand Theater of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.

The Liberation Day-themed play "The Theater Moves On!" will run from Aug. 13-14 at Daehakro Theater Quad in Seoul's Jongno-gu District. Shown is the cast doing an outdoor demonstration performance. (Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture)

To share the meaning of liberation with the world, the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture from Aug. 13-14 will present the Liberation Day-themed play "The Theater Moves On!" at Daehakro Theater Quad in Jongno-gu.

The work covers the history of the Koryo Theatre, founded in the Russian Far East port city of Vladivostok in 1932. The troupe has performed for 94 years despite forced migration and oppression.

Afterward, the production will tour the Central Asian countries of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan for approximately two weeks.

From Aug. 14-16, the Seoul Outdoor Library's open-air reading space Clear Stream for Reading will allow the public to read and relax in the area between the bridges Mojeongyo and Gwangtonggyo by Cheonggyecheon Stream.

More information on programs and schedules are on the Seoul Culture Portal (https://culture.seoul.go.kr) in Korean.

uyen81@korea.kr