Destination: Icheon Ceramic Festival (2010)



The 24th Icheon Ceramic Festival has one more good weekend to go (May 15th and 16th), and comes recommended if you like pots and ceramic stuff.



While most of the pottery was glazed with more natural colors, this is the sort of stuff to liven up an apartment.



On display: 100 different kinds of ceramic makkeolli (rice wine) glasses. The table shows a display set, while the wall holds those available for purchase.



I'm continually amazed at the different looks of pottery.

It's about here where the 'festival' part begins. If you live in Korea or have been to a Korean festival, parts of these next photos should look familiar:



A group of girls - and one boy - dancing to bubblegum K-pop. I'm not sure whether to feel sorry for the boy or congratulate him. For what it's worth, that was me when I was his age - albeit with tap dancing shoes and pants instead of cut-off gray shorts.



Let's make some pottery! A highlight to watch - the Lady in Red got her hands dirty as well. The professionals were still very much in charge, but seemed to be good teachers for the next generation.



A football-themed ballet performance? Um, sure, why not...



At least this is a more traditional art form - graceful and beautiful.



The kilns weren't being fired today, which gave people a chance to see inside and appreciate these structures first-hand.

Although the city is known for its ceramics, the festival escaped my attention until very recently. If you're at all interested in pots, pottery, or other things made from clay, this should not be missed.

Ratings (out of 5 taeguks):

Ease to arrive:


Foreigner-friendly:

Convenience facilities:


Worth the visit:

Directions to Icheon Ceramics Festival: Take a bus to Icheon (from Seoul, buses leave about every 30 minutes from the Express Bus Terminal, about 1 hour travel time). From Icheon Bus Terminal, take a shuttle bus to the site, or take a taxi to Seolbong Park (선봉공원). Free admission, although most experiential activities will cost some money.

Creative Commons License © Chris Backe - 2010

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