Throughout November, Gimhae, South Korea, will host a variety of cultural events, including traditional arts performances, a citizen-participation film festival, and the Buncheong Ceramics Festival.
The National Gimhae Museum is preparing a performance that combines traditional percussion with modern art, while the Gimhae Cultural Tourism Foundation will showcase 35 films, including those created by local citizens.
This year marks the 31st Buncheong Ceramics Festival, which will move to an urban venue to welcome visitors with exhibitions, hands-on experiences, and pottery sales.
The National Gimhae Museum will hold a cultural performance titled 'MYSEUM: Percussion' on November 14 at 2:30 PM in the museum auditorium.
Organized by the National Museum of Korea and hosted by the National Gimhae Museum and the National Museum Cultural Heritage Foundation, this event aims to expand cultural enjoyment opportunities for local residents. The performance will feature a blend of traditional music, dance, and visual arts, crossing generational and genre boundaries.
The event will consist of a 30-minute pre-show and a 60-minute main performance, totaling 90 minutes. The first act will be performed by the traditional music performer 'Cheongcheong,' who will reinterpret traditional rhythms and melodies with a modern sensibility using traditional instruments.
The main performance will feature 'Art Company Gu-seung,' which engages in creative activities based on traditional arts, presenting an interactive show that connects with the audience.
Reservations for the performance will open online on November 10 at 10 AM through the ticketing site 'Ticket Link.' A membership registration is required, and a reservation fee of 1,000 won per seat will be charged. Children must be accompanied by an adult guardian.
More details about the performance can be found on the National Gimhae Museum's official blog and Instagram.
A film festival featuring local filmmakers and citizen participation will also take place.
The Gimhae Cultural Tourism Foundation announced that the '4th Gimhae Citizen Film Festival' will be held from November 13 to 15 at the Gimhae Cultural Center's Video Media Center and CGV Gimhae.
This year's festival, themed 'My Life, My Film,' aims to portray citizens' daily lives and experiences through film, creating a space for audiences to share their stories through the works.
The opening film will be 'Chansili is Not Lucky' directed by Kim Cho-hee, which won three awards at the 24th Busan International Film Festival. Other films include 'Adult's Diary' by Kim In-sun and 'It's Okay, It's Okay, It's Okay!' by Kim Hye-young, among 35 short and feature films.
This year, films produced by local residents will also be showcased. Three citizen films completed through the 'Gimhae, Our Neighborhood Filmmakers' program, operated in collaboration with Inje University, will be screened again this year.
'Do You Know the Matari Flower?' directed by citizen director Choi Dong-min and writer Park Sun-hae, modernly reinterprets the legend of Bonghwangdae in Gimhae, incorporating artificial intelligence technology into the film production.
'Jjilleggot,' directed by Inje University student Joo Jae-min, is an animation created using generative AI technology, focusing on love and pain. Citizen director Lee Chae-won will debut as a film director with the documentary 'Sound Road,' which captures the life and independence of a visually impaired person who has lived without sight for 80 years.
In addition to film screenings, there will be opportunities for audiences to engage in discussions with directors and actors about the films. During the festival, over 30 individuals involved in the films, including directors Yang Jong-hyun, Kim Da-min, and Yoo So-young, as well as actors Gi Ju-bong and Yang Mal-bok, will participate in audience talks.
On November 14, a 'Relay Talk' will be held at Farmers Garden, and a masterclass will be conducted by director Lee Jeong-hyang at the Video Media Center. All screenings are free, and online reservations will be accepted until 4 PM on November 11 via Google Forms or the QR code on the festival poster.
Remaining seats after reservations can be purchased on-site. Screening times and event schedules will be available on the Gimhae Cultural Center's Video Media Center website.
The Buncheong Ceramics Festival, a representative traditional cultural event in Gimhae, is ready to welcome visitors.
The city of Gimhae will hold the '31st Buncheong Ceramics Festival' from November 6 to 10 at the Lotte Garden Park in Jangyu.
This year's festival, themed 'Buncheong in the City, Invitation to the Pottery Village,' features a temporary relocation to an urban space for improved accessibility and safety for visitors.
At the festival site, attendees can explore the production process, history, and artistic world of Gimhae's Buncheong pottery.
The 'Ceramics Master Demonstration Hall' will showcase local pottery masters demonstrating the pottery-making process. The 'Buncheong History Exhibition Hall' will present the history and traditional value of Gimhae's Buncheong pottery.
Programs for citizen participation will also be available. The 'Thousand People's Buncheong' project invites 1,000 citizens to paint on Buncheong plates, which will be assembled into a large pottery mural.
A 'Buncheong Land Stamp Tour' for children and families will feature five pottery-related games, with participants receiving souvenirs upon completion.
Other activities include pottery wheel experiences, mug decorating, Buncheong coiling experiences, a family pottery-making competition, and a family clay stacking contest. There will also be a pottery auction and band performances.
The Gimhae Pottery Exhibition and Sales Center and the UNESCO Creative City Exchange Center will showcase various pottery and craft works, including award-winning pieces from the 17th Korea Buncheong Ceramics Competition.
Discounts will be offered for those wishing to purchase pottery. All pottery items sold at the festival will be 20% off, with a 30% discount for food industry workers.
Visitors who spend over 100,000 won at the pottery sales booth will receive a random pottery gift box. Additionally, the '10,000 Won Happiness Cup' event will provide a can of Jeju Nubo non-alcoholic beer with the purchase of a pottery cup priced at 10,000 won.
A city official stated, 'This year, we are temporarily hosting the festival in an urban space to ensure that citizens and tourists can enjoy it more safely and conveniently. We hope everyone enjoys the beauty of Gimhae's Buncheong pottery and the various experiential programs.'
The opening ceremony will take place on November 6 at 4 PM. The festival will operate from 10 AM to 8 PM on Fridays through Sundays, and from 10 AM to 6 PM on Mondays and Tuesdays.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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