Busan to Launch World Music Fest in 2010

Busan, Korea's second largest city, requested a grant of 200 million won on Thursday from the central government to help host a new annual world music festival in August 2010.

If the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism fails to provide the full amount requested, the city plans to shoulder shortfalls from its coffer for 2010, a spokesperson said.

The Music Association of Busan, which has initiated the festival preparation committee with other music-related bodies, unveiled 100 million won in funding for the event at the panel's inaugural meeting on Thursday afternoon.

The festival is set to be staged for eight days in late August at Busan Cultural Center and several other venues, with the city-run philharmonic orchestra performing curtain-raisers in collaboration with world-renowned musicians, he said.

A variety of fringe music events under consideration include a concert at Haeundae Beach, the city's most popular beach; the Moonlight Music Station in Jangsan; a temple music concert at Beomeosa Temple; a Beach Music Festival at Gwangalli Beach; and Classical Music at Chungnyeol Shrine, the official said.