Diversity Shines Here: 17th Asian Games INCHEON 2014

When Korea Tourist Organization (KTO) invited the K-Performance Supporters to attend the 17^th Asian Games held in Incheon from 19^th of September to 4^th of October 2014, for people like me who used to work for such events it was like being granted a small dream that went true. To breathe again that familiar air of peaceful competition and effort of the athletes, the tension of the staff, and the joy of the spectators. On day 1 after the welcoming Opening Ceremony, our journey started under the poster with the new logo of KTO campaign ‘Imagine your Korea’ in the headquarters.

Much more near than expected we arrived to Bucheon Gymnasium to attend a very popular sport in Asia and less known in Europe. The Sepaktakraw, to describe it simply, is volleyball by the legs! It comes from two words Sepak(Kick) and Takraw(woven ball) or else ‘Kick Volleyball’. When you think it is not possible for people to perform leg volleyball as fast as the classic volleyball, then in this Asian Games it was a great opportunity to admire the Sepaktakraw champions, playing volleyball and at the same time dancing in the air!

I could not avoid observing-like in every such event-the ‘Smiles’ of the 17^th Asian Games, the wonderful Volunteers. Very neat in their aqua and sandy uniforms, fully equipped with energy, excitement, kindness and that genuine volunteer smile than a non-volunteer can never copy, helping every part of the venue operations, from the ticket check, the spectators, the athletes, the field of play. Could not stop admire the peaceful coexistence of all ages and all walks of life in the volunteer games force, either be the young volunteers who were so cheerful and agitated for volunteering for the first time in such a big event and at the same time the Senior Volunteers with their life long experience who took care the spectators and athletes as if they were their sons and daughters. Amazing how proactively they were acting during the Games to avoid any unpleasant situation. It was an inherent proactivity thanks to their seniority. The Senior volunteers were the secret added value of these Games. 

Another worthy aspect of our visit in Bucheon Gymnasium was the high security & protection measures to ensure safe Games for everyone without causing burden. Thus, the ambulances were stand-by on central spots next to stadium doors, as well as the Ambulance and other Medical staff walking around with the security people, creating a safe net around the event.

For such important international events, the involvement of the local community is paramount. Therefore not only the local volunteers but also a large number of schools, youth and community organizations were invited to attend the Games, filling the spectators’ seat with lots of clapping and joy.

Our KTO Coordinators always on the spot and around the K-Performance Supporters to make sure that we would not miss to enjoy all of the scheduled activities, took us to the heart of the Asian Games, the common domain around the main Stadium. In a vast area, walking around colorful booths and unique constructions displaying Sponsor’s innovations, future events such as the Gwanju 2015 and the Taipei 2007 Universiades and of course the ‘back from the future’ booth of the Pyeongchang 2018 winter games and numerous booths displaying the local products and locations around Korea, we arrived to our own familiar booth of the Korean Tourist Organization. Visitors had the opportunity to experience the culture and tradition of Korea, such as wearing the hanbok, taking advice from the Korean Oriental Medicine experts, learning about the 24hours Korea Travel Hotline 1330, and had their name being calligraphically decorated on traditional fans.

During the entire event two Pavilions operated showcasing the tradition and fusion of Korean cuisine in every aspect of people’s life from Buddhist organic food to the colorful artistic food arrangement in Korean wedding and other national celebrations, a very well thematic made exhibition. In this pavilion K-Performance Supporters could put sleeves up and try themselves the making of rice cakes, mandu or rice wine making. They surely proved to be great cooks as the Korean visitors tasted it and said there were well made! In the second pavilion visitors could enjoy food from many of the countries participating in the Asian Games such Indonesia, Iran, Vietnam, Indian and many more, prepared from the Countries’ Chefs.

When the sun hid its golden sunset rays away from the stadium and replaced by the night, a Korea in Motion Performance in open air was offered free to all visitors. The day we attended it was the loud in sounds and energy performance of NANTA.

Inhaling as much as I could from this special air of the Incheon 17^th Asian Games, we entered the bus to Seoul. What a dream day to celebrate the 10^th year anniversary of the ATHENS 2004 Olympic and Paralympic Games since I could not attend the actual celebrations back home. Thank you KTO.

N.B.1 this visit is dedicated to my friend Imam LUTFI from Indonesia who adores Korea and the Asian Games more than anyone and was reporting me every aspect of the Incheon Games that I was missing, all the way from Indonesia!

N.B.2 also to the 2004 Olympic Games Accredited Sport Photographer expert Spyro ANTONOPOULOS who 10 years ago was describing me his favorite –like air dance- sport about kicking the volleyball by legs and I could not understand what he was saying and how would this be possible to play. It was Sepaktakraw! J

In a venue with strong Olympic legacy, the R16 Korea World B-Boy Masters Championship

As B-Boys blogs called it, R16 World B-Boy Korea Masters Championship is "an attempt to provide the proper inspiration necessary to push the movement forward.What started out as a world-championship-level b-boy tournament has now evolved into a massive annual festival, which seeks to encompass all aspects of urban youth cultures".(http://worldbboy.org/r16-korea/).

Invited by the Korea Tourism Organisation the K-Performance Supporters attended this dynamic new urban youth cultural event that took place between 4-6 of July in Seoul.

B-Boys and B-Girls from around the world competed in pairs, in a breathtaking dance debate among each other, judged by a panel of B-Boys Experts. What a dance debate!

The venue where the R-16 Korea Masters Championships performed has a very strong legacy, an Olympic legacy, a second important reason to attend the event. It was inside the Olympic Hall at the Seoul Olympic Park, the heart of the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. Seoul Olympic Games has been a landmark event in the history of Korea as it was a driving force for political, economical, urbanized and social transformation.

  

Spread across 1.45 million ㎡ this large park not only was not underused after the Games, instead it has expanded and sustainable developed to accommodate, the sport, cultural and eco-needs of Seoul city and citizens. We clapped hand at the view of special parking lot provided free for the hybrid cars owners!Definitely a "must go" touristic spot for the Olympic Passionate visitors from around the World! They can spend a three hour Olympic legacy treasure hunt!

Inside and outside the Olympic hall there were smaller events taking place, such as B-Boy free style hip hop dance and an interesting photo, posters and objects exhibition on the Korean musicians and music history.Another interesting feature of the event was the different age audience, varying from teenagers, international families, hip-hop lovers in their late 40's and many more.

 The sunset of that evening was very generous, decorating the Olympic Hall in an incredible dark orange light that will not be forgotten.As a Korean song puts it.."this is the city life"! This is Seoul...

Uijeongbu embracing the “moon and the sun” of the International and Korean music theater for 13 years - 13th Uijeongbu Music Theater Festival-

Uijeongbu embracing the “moon and the sun” of the International and Korean music theatre for 13 years

-13^th Uijeongbu Music Theatre Festival-

The 13^th music theatre festival in Uijeongu, in Gyeonggi province was the new mission of the KTO K-performance supporters! Thanks to the Korea Tourism Organization they were invited to attend one of the most prestigious Korean music theatre festivals in the country that takes places for 13 years every May(2014 UMTF), to enhance the cultural experience of the local citizens and the visitors.

Despite of being downgraded due to the mourning of the Sewol tragedy (yellow ribbons around Uijeongbu Art Center), this year too it hosted important international and Korean musicals. The KTO Performance Supporters  were invited to watch the “moon and the sun” of the Korean musicals, the awarded with the Grand prize in the 2013 Korea Musical awards ‘The Moon Embracing the Sun’. The title is familiar as it was a popular MBC TV drama in 2012. It is based on the novel by Jung Eun-gwol and quoting the organizers “it is the love story between Lee Hwon’ who is born with the fate of the sun and ‘Yeon Woo’ who is born with the fate of the moon. Music with a pop orchestra leads the entire musical. The blend of contemporary and traditional choreography with a Korean aesthetic is reflected on stage, lighting, and images depict the beauty which can only be seen through this musical”. The musical actors performed strongly and the lighting, music, and stage decorations were indeed superb. I will never forget that moon and sun at the back or those stars and the flow of the waters.

Before arriving to the Art Theater we had the opportunity to taste the famous Uijeongbu BudaeJjigae which originates from the area since 50 years ago and it is about ham, sausage mixed with kimchi, hot pepper paste, rice cake, noodles and broiled with spicy seasoning. Delicious! Although many places to eat Uijeongbu BudaeJjigae we went to one of the best restaurants the ‘Otengsiktag’ (http://www.odengsikdang.com/sub/sub1_02.php) that has a tradition since 1960. On the walls you can see the photos and signatures of famous Korean Actors, Actresses and TV Personalities!

                            

Before the performance in the exhibition area, visitors can admire the puppets-protagonists of local and foreign short puppet movies, also displayed from screens. Alternatively to look at the programs, photos and memorabilia of the previous years of the festival.

Departing from the Uijeongbu Art Center we took with us the memories of the bright moon sung by the talented musical performers and simultaneously we left behind something: our messages on the tiles painted before the musical and will be placed on the Uijeongbu Art Center to mark the day.

For more information for this and next year’s festival on the official webpage of Uijeongbu Music Theatre Festival

http://eng.umtf.or.kr/html/sub01/sub_01.php