Two festivals are scheduled in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province to coincide with the buildup to the World Cup; the World Outdoor Performance Festival in Namyangju from May 24 to the 26th and the Conseil International des Organisations de Festivals de Folklore et d'Arts Traditionnels (CIOFF) Asian & Oceanian Folklore Festival in Seoul from May 30 to June 9.

The former is a comprehensive festival of drama, dance and music to be held around the North Han River in Namyangju, showcasing 12 invited foreign works from nine countries and 21 domestic ones set against backdrops that include an outdoor caf? a garden the riverside and Dae Mountain. Tradition folk songs by Irish Soprano Mave and Mongolian Folk Arts Company's traditional dance will be highlights and acrobats will perform in the streets.

The CIOFF Asian & Oceanian Folklore Festival will be held in the National Theatre and Korean Folk Village in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province with foreign participants from 14 countries, promoting traditional drama and dance. Some 26 intangible cultural assets will also join the festival to show off Korean traditional plays and dances. A joint performance of all participants will take place on May 9 at 7:30pm on the outdoor stage of the National Theatre.

For more information, call (031) 591-5712, or visit www.noaf.or.kr for the World Outdoor Performance Festival in Namyangju, and (02) 773-9960 for the CIOFF Asian & Oceanian Folklore Festival.

(Lee Kyu-hyeon, while@chosun.com )