(LEAD) Festivals Calendar - July 2018

(ATTN: ADDS Daegu Chimac Festival at bottom)

SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- The following are major cultural and tourist festivals to be held in South Korea in July.

* Boryeong Mud Festival

When: July 13-22

Where: Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province

The 21st Boryeong Mud Festival will be held at Daecheon Beach on South Korea's western coast. Boryeong is famous for its abundant natural resources and beautiful scenery, and Daecheon Beach is one of the largest and best swimming beaches in the country, drawing more than 10 million visitors annually. The festival offers a chance to bathe in a massive mud tub, receive mud massages, compete in the "Mud King" contest and participate in a mud photo contest. Tourists will also be able to buy various mud-based cosmetic products at discounted prices.

For more information, call 041-930-3820 or visit www.mudfestival.or.kr.

* Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival

When: July 12-22

Where: Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province

The 2018 Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival will enchant film fans with science fiction, thriller, fantasy, mystery and horror movies from around the world. About 290 films from 53 countries around the world will be screened at the festival. Bucheon, just west of Seoul, is well-known in South Korea as a center for the film and animation industries.

For more information, call 032-327-6313 or visit www.bifan.kr.

* Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival

When: July 6-15

Where: Seodong Park, Buyeo, South Chungcheong Province

Seodong was a prince of the Baekje Kingdom who became King Mu, the 30th monarch of the kingdom. The Seodong Lotus Festival is held around Gungnamji Pond, which bears the legend of Seodong's birth. Programs include a night parade featuring Prince Seodong and Princess Seonhwa, performances of traditional music and dance, experiences of Baekje culture and a photo contest set against the backdrop of picturesque lotus blossoms.

For more information, call 041-830-2921 or visit www.부여서동연꽃축제.kr.

* Keochang International Festival of Theatre

When: July 27-Aug. 5

Where: Geochang, South Gyeongsang Province

Around 10 theatrical groups from abroad will present plays at outdoor theaters in the town of Wicheon, Geochang County, during the 30th Keochang International Festival of Theatre. The festival has played an important role in bringing local plays to a global audience and developing South Korea's dramatic arts industry since 1989. Geochang also boasts beautiful scenery and is surrounded by the famous Jiri, Deogyu and Gaya mountains.

For further information, call 055-943-4152 or check out www.kift.or.kr.

* Pohang International Fire & Light Festival

When : July 25-29

Where: Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province

Colorful fireworks will illuminate the sky over Pohang on the east coast on the evenings of July 25-29. Fireworks companies from Britain, China and South Korea will display their products in the summer sky for an hour starting at 9 p.m. on July 28. Visitors can also attend music and dance performances, a singing competition and movie screenings.

For more information, call 054-270-2253.

* Daegu Chimac Festival

When: July 18-22

Where: Duryu Park, Daegu

The Daegu Chimac Festival launched in 2013 in Daegu, one of the hottest cities in South Korea, to attract fans of chicken and beer, called "chimac" in Korean.

"Chimac" or "chimaek," the combination of chicken and "maekju," the Korean word for beer, is one of Koreans' favorite summer night snacks. It has also become a craze among young Chinese people as it appeared in the mega-hit South Korean TV series "My Love from the Star" that was hugely popular in China.

Having numerous poultry farms in the surrounding region, Daegu is abundant in fresh chicken and is the origin of several franchise brands that have made successful inroads abroad.

Visitors can sample all different brands of chicken, beer and side dishes from about 120 booths while enjoying various concerts and other events.

For more information, call 053-248-9998 or visit www.chimacfestival.com.
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