Korea's fantastic fireworks festivals

By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Shaimaa Helaly

Photos = The Sun, Hanwha Corporate Citizenship, Nehal Helaly, Korea Tourism Organization and Culture Trip

In my opinion, Korea is a magical country that you'll easily fall in love with. I dream about visiting year after year to watch fireworks with my sister. She told me a lot about fireworks festivals in Korea and showed me many photos and videos she took there, even live via Skype. Oooh, how amazing would it be to go and watch such festivals with your own eyes. So I decided to search for fireworks festivals in Korea and found four famous ones held every year. 

Before I talk about the four festivals, a fireworks event I recently heard a lot of news about on social media was the amazing fireworks for the grand opening of Lotte World Tower on April 3, 2017. The skyscraper is 555 meters high, ranking it the world's fifth-tallest building after Burj Khalifa in the United Arab Emirates, Shanghai Tower in China, the Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel in Saudi Arabia and One World Trade Center in New York. 

Seoul International Fireworks Festival

Started in 2000, this event starts at Hangang Park in the evening in October; different countries participate every year. I heard that the main events hall in front of the 63 Building is the best place to enjoy the festival. So don't miss this year's festival in October and experience spectacular fireworks at the best location.

Busan International Fireworks Festival

Busan is my sister’s favorite city in Korea, and seems more like a second hometown to her. She first watched the fireworks festival in 2013 and hasn't missed it since. So I hope to be able to watch it in person for the first time. The amazing annual show is held every October at Gwangalli Beach, with over a million people gathering to enjoy the fireworks accompanied by high-tech laser-light shows, cultural celebrations and other events. The festival's constant drive to improve itself has made the gala one of the world's most impressive fireworks displays.

Pohang International Fireworks Festival

This festival is held every summer at Yeongildae Beach in Pohang, which is known as the "City of Light and Fire." Usually held around the end of July, the event features a fireworks competition, parade of lights, street performances and a range of interactive fun.

Jeju Fire Festival

This mystical place is chock full of UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites and stunning coastal scenery. The festival originated from a tradition in which farmers burn old grass between late winter and early spring, kill harmful pests and pray for a good harvest and good health before their cattle and horses graze in the fields. It was traditionally held when the first full moon of the new lunar year came out, but is now held in March to mark the arrival of spring with folk games, interactive programs and fireworks.

Hopefully, I can soon enjoy in person the beauty of one of these magical fireworks festivals in Korea.

wisdom117@korea.kr

Share this post