Ulsan Whale Festival
I've never actually seen a whale in the waters around Ulsan, but I'm told they are there, just off of Jangsaeng-Pohang Port there's a migratory route they take that allowed them to become potential dinner for those who could catch or afford them.
Having a festival in honour of them seems a little sadistic...but I guess Ulsan City feels like they are honouring the tradition more than the illegal, but still in fervent practice of whaling. (Although the South Korean are doing something about it, and it's nice to know they dropped their stupid plans to reintroduce "scientific whaling" a few years back.)
Personally I like whale meat, what little I have had has been quite delicious and not at all like I imagined (for a sea creature). If you have issues with eating whale meat let me break it down for you:
You are a vegetarian/vegan: That's cool.
You are otherwise a meat eater: Piss off. (See also, meat eaters who have a problem with dog meat.)
Of course the Ulsan Whale Festival is not all about feasting on flesh. There are the typical Korean festival stalls that promote other festivals and regions in South Korea like a big fat hippy love-in and random bits of art, sculptures and floats including reenactments of early whale fishing by historians. There are probably lanterns and fireworks in the evening too.
There is also a dragon boat race that last year some friends trained hard for and participated in. Strangely, (but most likely for safety reasons*) the Korean and foreigner boat race competitions were kept separate last year (a fact that did not stop mixing within the teams themselves of course). This year all foreigners have been excluded from the boat race part of this festival, so I hear...
Whatever the reasons, banning people from taking part (if it is true, I'm struggling to find anything beyond the words of mouths) on the basis of nationality is fucking stupid. From what I saw last year there were people acting like pricks and others being perfectly civil in equal number during both competitions. As is wont to happen when you allow large groups of people to get together in celebration with alcohol.
UPDATEZ: So it turns out the amateur foreigner friendly dragon boat race was cancelled (according to T-Hope, a charity in Ulsan that coordinates with festival) but after strong words of protest the race is now back on, April 26th, from 9:00-12:30am. For those who want to take part check out the event page here. This year T-Hope will be raising money for Ulsan Orphanage & Lotus Children (a group that works Austistic children) for their summer activities.
*Safety yes, also the 'foreigner' races were amateur in status, hence the separation
If you are one of my mates from last year here's a few pics below:
Having a festival in honour of them seems a little sadistic...but I guess Ulsan City feels like they are honouring the tradition more than the illegal, but still in fervent practice of whaling. (Although the South Korean are doing something about it, and it's nice to know they dropped their stupid plans to reintroduce "scientific whaling" a few years back.)
Personally I like whale meat, what little I have had has been quite delicious and not at all like I imagined (for a sea creature). If you have issues with eating whale meat let me break it down for you:
You are a vegetarian/vegan: That's cool.
You are otherwise a meat eater: Piss off. (See also, meat eaters who have a problem with dog meat.)
Of course the Ulsan Whale Festival is not all about feasting on flesh. There are the typical Korean festival stalls that promote other festivals and regions in South Korea like a big fat hippy love-in and random bits of art, sculptures and floats including reenactments of early whale fishing by historians. There are probably lanterns and fireworks in the evening too.
There is also a dragon boat race that last year some friends trained hard for and participated in. Strangely, (but most likely for safety reasons*) the Korean and foreigner boat race competitions were kept separate last year (a fact that did not stop mixing within the teams themselves of course). This year all foreigners have been excluded from the boat race part of this festival, so I hear...
Whatever the reasons, banning people from taking part (if it is true, I'm struggling to find anything beyond the words of mouths) on the basis of nationality is fucking stupid. From what I saw last year there were people acting like pricks and others being perfectly civil in equal number during both competitions. As is wont to happen when you allow large groups of people to get together in celebration with alcohol.
UPDATEZ: So it turns out the amateur foreigner friendly dragon boat race was cancelled (according to T-Hope, a charity in Ulsan that coordinates with festival) but after strong words of protest the race is now back on, April 26th, from 9:00-12:30am. For those who want to take part check out the event page here. This year T-Hope will be raising money for Ulsan Orphanage & Lotus Children (a group that works Austistic children) for their summer activities.
*Safety yes, also the 'foreigner' races were amateur in status, hence the separation
If you are one of my mates from last year here's a few pics below:
On a sad note, last year's boat race was delayed due to reports of someone doing a bridge jump the night before. No body was recovered...
How to get there:
Ulsan Whale Festival takes place around the end of April every year. Check here or here for more details that are "comming soon". I can English too...
Depending on which side of town you are coming from (east or west) the 300 and 700 buses will take you there on the day. Aim for Taehwa Rotary, City Hall or anywhere in the middle of Taehwa river. Or check out this interactive map (Category: Recreation) from the wonderful Ulsan Online. If only every city had a resource like it...
Soundtrack:
"WHITE, WHALE, HOLY, GRAIL!"