The Mask Dance Festival

Part 2 - Music and Fireworks

After a quick meal and a bowl of dong-dong-ju (a local tipple), we headed down to the river and set up to wait for the evening's festivities. Things started with a concert of music from an orchestra of Korean instruments. I would be lying if I said I found the music harmonious and beautiful, but it did have a certain charm.

The striking cliffs on the opposite side of the river serve as a back-drop to the evening's entertainment. Boats ply up and down the river full of visitors who lay candles in the water.

A musician tunes his instrument for the concert by the river.

Children warm themselves in a spotlight as the hot day turns into a chilly night.

After the music finished the 'ropes of fire' were lit. These ropes were strung from the beach to the cliff, and sparkling fire slowly progressed along the rope towards the cliff. The stage was cleared, and artists performed various cultural singing and/or dancing acts throughout the evening. Between acts fireballs were thrown from the top of the cliff.

The crowd ogles the sparkling fire as it makes its way along ropes strung overhead.

To the excited shouts of the crowd, balls of fire are thrown from the cliff.

The last organised event is a spectacular display of fireworks.

The evening ends with everyone dancing under the fiery ropes.

The last bus had already departed by the time I left, so I hitch-hiked back into Andong and spent the night in the cheapest hotel I could find. It only cost me w10,000 (about a fiver), but the mattress was thinner than the blanket.