In addition to the 47 athletics events that will be contested during the IAAF World Championships Daegu 2011, a large variety of cultural events are being planned and prepared by the LOC’s Cultural Event Division. Today I met the director of division, Oki Kwon and got his story and his future plans.
Q_ Tell us about the Cultural Event Division briefly.
The Division’s primary responsibility is to promote the IAAF World Championships Daegu 2011 through cultural events aimed to excite the citizens. Initially, we started as the Cultural Event Team in January of 2009 and organized a separated cultural events task force with specialized duties. Two of our greatest achievements were the Daegu/Korea-Day performance in the centre of Berlin during the IAAF World Championships Berlin 2009 and the musical concerts held at Daegu Stadium for the Daegu citizens to celebrate the hosting of the
Championships.
In February 2010, the Cultural Event Team expanded its realm and became the Cultural Event Division, and is now making preparations for the Opening/Closing Ceremony, Eve of Championships, Opening Performance of IAAF Congress, Loop Festival, various cultural events for Athletes’ Village and a Farewell Ceremony. We are also supporting the production of the theme song and the a public relations film.
The cultural events prepared by our division are divided into events with citizens and those for IAAF Officials and Athletes.
In February 2010, the Cultural Event Team expanded its realm and became the Cultural Event Division, and is now making preparations for the Opening/Closing Ceremony, Eve of Championships, Opening Performance of IAAF Congress, Loop Festival, various cultural events for Athletes’ Village and a Farewell Ceremony. We are also supporting the production of the theme song and the a public relations film.
Q_ Please explain more about the cultural events in relation to the Championships.
The events for citizens are the Opening/Closing Ceremony in Daegu Stadium, Championships Eve in Duryu Park and the Loop Festival throughout the Marathon Course. The events meant for the IAAF Officials and Athletes consist of the Opening Ceremony and Welcome/Farewell Ceremony for Athletes in the Athletes’ Village.
Q_ As we know, the Opening/Closing Ceremony of World Cup and Olympic Games is a splendid performance. What would be the distinctive feature of World Championships Ceremonies?
Unlike other international events the IAAF World Championships has competition events on the day of Opening and Closing Ceremony. Thus, to convey the implied message sufficiently and simply within a limited time is very important. The Opening Ceremony on 27 Aug. 2011 at the Daegu Stadium will proclaim the opening of the IAAF World Championships Daegu 2011 and deliver story about dreams, passion, and challenges of athletics in Korea through a multimedia show.
In the Closing Ceremony, Daegu will pass the IAAF Flag on to next hosting city, Moscow and then pop singers will perform to celebrate the successful hosting of the event.
Q_ I have heard that evening before the event will be a large-scale concert to make an air of festivity. Tell us more.
On 26 August, the eve of event, a festival will be held at Duryu Park. This festival will be a large-scale music concert to welcome the IAAF officials, overseas media and athletes with citizens to celebrate the success of Championships. The festival will show dynamic performance to express passion and enthusiasm of Daegu and spirit of challenge for athletics and great stage of pop & classic musician.
As the finale, a spectacular fireworks show at Woobang Tower will decorate the night sky of Daegu.
Q_ The Marathon will be held on the Loop City Course. Will the cultural events will be promoted in the centre of city?
The Men’s’ and Women’s Marathon Events will occur on the first and last days of the Championships, and they will follow a loop city course. So we decided to host a “Loop Festival,” with citizens cheering Marathoners as they pass by the main points. During the lap times citizens will participate in various cultural events. We are now working on detailed program for each location.
Q_ It seems to be a good opportunity to introduce Korea to participations, media, and athletics officials from around the world. Are you preparing cultural events for those people?
As of now we are preparing the Opening Ceremony for the IAAF Congress. This ceremony will host an array of beautiful and artistic culture highlighting Korea’s traditions. Events for Athletes’ Village will begin from 20th Aug and continue to the last day of Championships. At the very end of the event we will host a great party so as to leave everyone with a great memory of Daegu and Korea.
Q_ Heard you are under producing theme song for a boom in Championships. When will the song be launched?
There was a comment that the Championships theme song was just a one-time affair. We are now making a song that will be popular not only during the event period but also after the event. Right now the recording and arrangement is ongoing and we plan to launch the theme song in early Apr. to promote in domestic and overseas markets.
Q_ I heard that there was a movie made about athletics in Daegu Stadium last autumn. Could you let us know what it is about and when it will be released?
The title is “Leaping Teacher,” it deals dealing with a young Pole Vaulter’s dream and love for the sport. The movie was filmed at Daegu Stadium, Suseong Park and House of Lee Sang-hwa, and it will be broadcasted on Arirang TV in 180 countries in either April or May.
Q_ What’s your one word for the successful Championship?
Cultural events are recognized as the best promotional methods to showcase the host country’s ability to host international events. We need to prove that we can connect the world and the ordinary citizens. So we are doing our very best to make it possible, and raise the level of athletics in Korea.
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