Seo-gu (Seo District) of Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City said on October 13 that it will hold the 11th Gwangju Seochang Silver Grass Festival for 4 days, from October 15 to 18, along the banks of the Yeongsan River. This year's theme is "A Walk into Autumn Told by Silver Grass." The district said it designed the programmes to go beyond viewing the silver grass, so that visitors can walk through the silver grass fields, listen to the sounds of nature and take a rest.
The 3 featured and theme programmes are "Find the King of Rest," "Noeul 530" and "Walwal Run." "Find the King of Rest" is a resting contest held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on October 18 around the main stage in the Healing Silver Grass Zone. Participants may rest in any way they like, such as lying down in the silver grass field, reading a book or meditating. Awards include the "One with Nature Award," given to the participant who best blends in with the silver grass, along with the "Born for Pajamas Award," the "Textbook Lying Down Award" and the "Elegant Rest Award." Total prize money is 1,000,000 won.
"Noeul (Sunset) 530" runs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. every day during the festival at the Seochang Gamseong Observatory. Professional photographers take pictures of visitors, with the focus on shots taken around 5:30 p.m., when the sun sets over the Yeongsan River. Photos can be printed on the spot or received online.
On October 18, the last day of the festival, the dog-friendly programme "Walwal Run" takes place from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dogs and their owners can walk the silver grass path together and take pictures at photo zones, and a dog talent show will be held on the main stage. Participants will receive snacks that dogs and owners can eat together.
Other programmes include "Silver Grass Path Where Melodies Flow," a walk accompanied by the sounds of nature, piano and jazz music, as well as "Silver Grass Soundscape" and "Ttubeok Ttubeok Silver Grass Explorers," which explore sound and ecology. A silver grass field lounge with turntable music, a 1,000-won picnic and a mood trolley bus will also be available during the festival.
Seo-gu District Head Kim I-gang said, "I hope visitors will regain a sense of ease from daily life on the Yeongsan River silver grass path and make special autumn memories." The district plans to use the festival to let visitors slowly enjoy the autumn scenery along the banks of the Yeongsan River.