The festival, which opened on May 19 to continue until June 17, is a triennial event organized with the aim to introduce the tourist attractions of Cheju to other countries, while building up ties among the many islands around the world. One participating group attracting much attention is the team from the Western Isles, a group of islands that lie on the northwest coast of Scotland. The team includes a band of eight bagpipers, three drummers, two accordionists, two dancers and two vocalists who sing Gaelic songs. They perform twice a day at the North America-Europe Hall. In the opening day parade though Cheju, the pipe band made a big impression and we were asked to do special performances.
People are very interested in the bagpipes.
Also known as the Outer Hebrides, the Western Isles have the reputation of being one of the most beautiful island chains in the world, blessed with a landscape filled with vistas of untamed beauty and long stretches of golden sandy beaches, as well as a peaceful and tranquil ambience enveloping the islands. Inhabited for over 6,000 years, the islands also boast a proud Celtic history and a unique culture. Another source of pride for the Western Isles is Harris Tweed, a tweed produced in the Outer Hebrides, mainly on the isles of Lewis and Harris - two islands at the northern end of the Western Isles that are linked as one. Harris Tweed products are all hand woven and finished by the islanders at their homes and made from pure virgin wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides. They are currently on display in Cheju as the representative product for the islands.