Despite the Jorangmal being one of the symbols of Jeju, it is not easy for either residents or visitors to see these Jeju ponies on the island. However, the upcoming Jeju Horse Festival, with 150 horses featured, will give attendees a chance to see these animals in the flesh.
Starting off with a street parade on Oct. 15 at 5 p.m., at the Jeju Citizen Welfare Town, the 2011 Jeju Horse Festival will be held over two weekends; Oct. 15-16, 20, and 22-23 with the theme of “Jeju horses are on their way.” Following the parade, a madangnori (Korean traditional outdoor play) named “Molmalmol” (horse horse horse) will reenact how horses were chosen to be offerings to the king during the Joseon dynasty.
According to Jeong Du Young, a representative from the Korea Racing Authority Jeju, this performance was the most popular program last year and about 100 Jeju horses will be presenting themselves at the parade. After the outdoor play, the opening ceremony and performances will start at 7:30 p.m.
At the Jeju Horse Racing Park, festival-goers can enjoy this participant-focused festival where various events like mini golf, mask making, horse drawing, face painting, all with the theme of the horse, will be offered. A popular event from last year, the pretty pony contest, will also be held.
Several exhibitions will be presented for educational purposes for children and students, including a series of photos and a presentation on the history of the horse. An academic symposium will also be held on Oct. 20 where horse rearing techniques and its research and development will be discussed.
For food lovers, horse meat hamburgers and other horse meat cuisines will be served.
On Oct. 15 and Oct. 23, there will be a guided tour for families. This child-friendly tour will leave from Jeju National Museum with the purpose of learning horse culture and history on Jeju.
From Oct. 15 to Oct. 30 the Jeju Horse Festival committee will collect essays for a contest. Anyone who does not work for the Korea Racing Authority can enter the contest via their Web site. The grand prize winner will receive 300,000 won. A total of 25 contest participants will also receive monetary awards.
Last year, the festival attracted about 63,000 people. The number of visitors has increased gradually from 16,000 during the first festival in 2003. This year, Jeong said, “We’re expecting at least 60,000 or more festival-goers.”
For more information and a full schedule of the festival, visit www.horsefestival.co.kr.
<Angela Kim angelakim@jejuweekly.com ⓒ Jeju Weekly All rights reserved>>
