With the joint cultural festival between Istanbul and Gyeongju, Istanbul in Gyeongju 2014, kicking off festively, a variety of events will be taking place from this weekend in the historic South Korean city of Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province.

The events, taking place alongside the 10-day festival introducing Turkish culture, seek to promote the host city’s various appeals as a place to travel, do business in or just live in.

“A lot of events will be held alongside ‘Istanbul in Gyeongju 2014.’ Visitors to the festival will be able to experience various aspects of Gyeongju, including its rich history and culinary culture,” said Lee Young-seok, secretary general of the Gyeongju World Culture Expo, which organized Istanbul in Gyeongju 2014.

Taking place from Sept. 12-22, the Turkish festival is expected to lure visitors to Gyeongju, with various performances, exhibitions and parades, all with a focus on their exotic history and culture.

Some iconic places in Istanbul such as the Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace will be recreated in the Korean city, which has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list for its historic heritage. Highlights of the cultural programs include a parade by the Ottoman military band Mehter and a performance of the play “OYUN” by the Istanbul Theater Group, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. 

On the sidelines of the festival, Gyeongju will promote itself with a variety of events ranging from a food festival to a trade show and a job fair.

Opening on the same day of the festival is the Daegu/Gyeongbuk Textile Trade Fair, which will be a venue for textile companies in North Gyeongsang Province to meet Turkish buyers in promotion of fine quality fabrics and production systems in the region.

Daegu, one of the biggest cities in the region, has been known for its fashion and textile industry since the early industrial development in South Korea. About 40 Korean textile companies will meet some 20 Turkish buyers, who will be guided to garment factories and other industrial sites in the region.

According to an official from the North Gyeongsang Province government, the trade fair saw deals worth some $1.1 million signed last year.

A culinary festival will take visitors to the “700 years of creating the taste of North Gyeongsang Province and its future” during the 7th Gyeongbuk Food Fair from Sept. 17 to 20 at Gyeongju Expo Park.

The festival will recreate some 23 local dishes that hail from the region as well as dishes that are still popular. A trade event will promote agricultural products and seafood of North Gyeongsang Province to local and foreign buyers.

A special booth will present dishes included in the ancient recipe books “Eumsik Dimibang” and “Suwoon Japbang.” Another booth will be devoted to presenting Turkish food and culinary culture. Visitors to the food festival will be able to purchase local products and food at cheaper prices than usual.

The 2014 North Gyeongsang Province Job Fair, which will be held on Sept. 17 at the Gyeongju Indoor Sports Complex, will offer the opportunity for job seekers to meet with employers from major companies based in the region. More than 80 companies, including Hyundai Heavy Industries, Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power and Korea Radioactive Waste Agency, will attend the job fair. The organizers aim to create more than 150 job opportunities.

Family-friendly events will be held from this weekend. A walking event will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Sept 13 at Hwangseong Park to offer courage and hope for families of those with Alzheimer’s disease.

A bike riding event will invite local citizens and tourists to explore the historical city of Gyeongju on bicycle. The ride will start at 10 a.m., at Hwangseong Park on Sept. 20. 

By Lee Woo-young & Kim Sang-il
(wylee@heraldcorp.com) (smile56789@heraldcorp.com)