Busan Summer Lineup

Since Busan is an international port city, there are always festivals of some sort happening here, with most of them occuring on or around Haeundae Beach, home sweet home. There are 21 international shows, 20 cultural events and hundreds of smaller festivals and sporting events through the year. The most popular festivals in Busan are The Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF), The Sea Festival, Rock Fest, The Fireworks Festival, and Jagalchi Sea Food Cultural Festival.
Although May is nearly over Busan Men's Open Tennis Championships and the 19th Arirang Yaching Championships are currently underway and at least one of them is enjoying the particularly windy weather that we've been having lately. Although its past, May 1-10 was the 6th Annual Busan International Performing Arts Festival (BIPAF)with plays from around the world including Russia, Germany, U.S., and many others. More information can be found at www.bipaf.org.
June starts off with a couple of fun festivals with the International Dance Festival which will be on a floating stage on Haeundae Beach. Check out more info at www.bidf.or.kr. Dad needs to make it over before June 5th to catch out the first Nakdong River Windsurfing Championships held on Eulsuk Island at the mouth of river. There is also a World Health Organization conference on Children's Health and Environment, the Mayor's Cup Canoeing Championship, a College Dragon Boat Racing Meet and the Jang-Bo Rowing Championships.
Once we hit July and summer kicks into overdrive so do the sports. July 3-10 are the first Busan International Surfing Championships and the 27th-29th are the World Women's Beach Volleyball Championships. Like most of these events they are free to the public. While the waves may not be the biggest, there is nothing like sitting on the beach and enjoying the beautiful weather and gorgeous view.
August brings us The Sea Festival and Rock Fest. Rock Fest brings us bands from around the world playing free shows on Dadaepo Beach for a weekend filled with free beer, fireworks and even a kiteboarding competition. Check out more info at www.rockfestival.co.kr. This year Rock Fest will be held during the weeklong Sea Festival from August 1-9. The events haven't been finalized yet, but last year there was a Guiness drinking competition, a magic show and competition, several fireworks shows, numerous sporting events(skateboarding, kiteboarding, boat races, and swimming), a two day hip-hop show, a dance festival and an ultimate frisbee tournament. They are held on Busan's five major beaches, yach clubs and hte Nakdong River. You can read more about this must see event at www.seafestival.co.kr.
Most of Busan's festivals are held during the summer and fall while the weather is the most favorable. Later on, I'll have to tell you about the Pusan International Film Festival and The Fireworks Festival, both of which draw tourists from around the world for these famed events. The Fireworks Festival makes any North American show look like child's play as there are more than 100,000 fireworks expoded during this festival. It is renowned throughout Asia and so popular that Japanese and Chinese tourists will book the hotels and all tours months in advance. If you want to learn more about what is going on in "Dynamic Busan", check out www.dynamicbusan.co.kr.
Hopefully, I won't be so busy with work that I get some time to take in most of these wonderful events, and maybe, just maybe it will help some of you plan your vacations to come over and visit me. I look forward to talking to you all again soon.