The poster for this year’s Hangang River Festival
By Aisylu Akhmetzianova
Photos = Hangang Project Headquarters of Seoul Metropolitan Government
A midsummer festival highlighting the charms of the Hangang River in Seoul will be opened on July 29.
The Hangang Project Headquarters of the Seoul Metropolitan Government on July 25 said the Hangang River Festival: Summer will be held from July 29 to Aug. 15 at 11 riverside parks in the city.
The event is a new integrated brand under the theme “A river full of joy throughout the year.”
An extended version of the former Hangang Summer Festival, which turned the river running through the capital into a summer resort every year, the event will host unique programs each season that feature beautiful scenery and enjoyment felt only at the river.
The festival was held every summer from 2013-19 but the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation in 2020 and a non-contact hosting last year.
For this year’s festival, 20 programs will be held under four themes: water leisure, performing arts, cultural exhibitions and play experience.
A race featuring boats made from polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, bottles on Aug. 6 will be held at Jamsil Hangang Park in the city’s Songpa-gu District. Competitors must make a boat with plastic bottles to wage a 50-m race on the river that requires a turn.
“Hangang Night Walk 42K” on July 30 will have participants walk around the river while seeing the view at night and dawn for two days. The three courses — 42 km, 22 km or 15 km — will all begin at Yeouido Hangang Park in Yeongdeungpo-gu District.
The cultural event “Hangang Summer Music Picnic” will be held at Yeouido Hangang Park from July 29-30 featuring musical genres like classical, gugak (traditional music) or jazz.
The swimming pool at Ttukseom Hangang Park in Gwangjin-gu District on Aug. 12 will be transformed into the relaxation-themed Hyu Hyu Pool.
More information on the festival is available on the event’s official’s homepage (festival.seoul.go.kr/hangang).
“Hangang Night Walk 42K” is one of the Hangang River Festival’s leading programs.
aisylu@korea.kr
