A file photo taken May 21, 2023, shows participants at a space-out competition at Han River zoning out. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Apr. 29 (Korea Bizwire) — More than 120 festivity programs will take place at riverside parks along the Han River starting next month through the end of the year, with the aim of drawing 3 million visitors, the city government said Monday.
The 2024 Han River Festival, under the theme “joy beyond imagination,” will hit 11 riverside parks across the capital, with rich programs to bring unexpected fun and offer a break from routine, according to the Seoul metropolitan government.
The top 10 most popular programs include a mask parade in which people march down the Jamsu Bridge, a submersible bridge across the Han River, with a naval band and big-sized dolls while wearing a self-made mask, and a space-out competition to select who is the best at spacing out for 90 minutes.
The list also includes a sleeping contest on May 11, which awards the person who most peacefully sleeps for two hours, a songwriting contest for university students slated for May 25, a boat parade on June 2 and a pep rally for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris from July 26 to Aug. 11.
It will also hold a “noise-free DJ party,” where participants can enjoy a dance party wearing wireless headphones and a car-free festival at the Jamsu Bridge.
The city aims to attract 3 million visitors during this year’s festival, which it estimates will bring in 120.6 billion won (US$87.1 million) in economic benefits, along with 964 new jobs, city officials said.
(Yonhap)
