Jangsu embraces the spirit of Uiam Joo (“Red”) Nongae’s spirit, who gave her life to kill the Japanese General responsible for taking over her city. The city specializes in red-colored agricultural products, making it unique that the local legendary figure, agricultural products and regional specialties are all red hued. It is well known as a major producer of Hanu (Korean beef) and Sagwa (apple). Accordingly, the theme of the Jangsu Hanurang Sagwarang Festival is “RED,” the first of its kind in Korea.
The festival promotes urban and rural exchange and high quality farm products and regional specialties. It also provides an opportunity for local residents to enjoy the fruits of their labor and share the joy of the harvest together.
Visitors are sure to enjoy the array of cultural aspects of the festival, in addition to a wide range of hands-on activities and sampling local food.
"New Year Festival, Seol" is an event held by the National Folk Museum of Korea. Kick start this year by joining New Year Festival Seol. In celebrating the year of the monkey, the museum will present varied programs that are themed with monkeys as well as offering traditional folk experiences, Seollal cultural programs and a special exhibition.
Over 30 programs will run for 5 days, offering plenty of opportunities to learn about Seollal customs and get a deeper understanding on the meaning of Seollal. Admission to the museum is free of charge and no reservation is required for most of the activites. Seollal traditions include fortune telling and wishing for good luck in the New Year. Start off the New Year with the National Folk Museum, and have a happy and abundant year. More detailed information is available on the official website.
The Korean Traditional Medicine (Hanbang) Industry Expo is held at EXCO in Daegu. The event is co-hosted by the city of Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do, and co-organized by the Institute for Korea Traditional Medical Industry and Korean Traditional Medicine (Hanbang) Industry Expo Organizing Committee. Under the theme of “Globalization and Futurization of Hanbang (Oriental medicine)," this year’s exposition will feature about 130 booths through the participation of over 80 companies and organizations from home and abroad.
The Guard-Changing Ceremony of Woongjin Castle with the background of one of the Baekje Historic Areas selected as the UNESCO's World Heritage Site in 2015 reenacts the service of the guards defending the castle, using costumes and props based on the strict analysis of the historical records. The ceremony is held every Saturday and Sunday from April to November except the hot summer season of June to August, and conducted every day during the Baekje Culture Festival in the fall. The event includes martial art performances and various experiences as well as the main ceremony, aiming at promoting Gongju-si, where the Baekje culture flourished, and its valuable heritage Gongsanseong Fortress.
The annual Suncheon Lantern Festival takes place around Suncheon Jorye Lake Park. Hosted by Buddhist associations in Suncheon City, the festival features a variety of Buddhist cultural programs such as a children’s writing contest, drawing competition, B-POP festival, folk games, pagoda circling, lantern and light balloon floating in prayers for peace, and fireworks show. The festival also screens a number of Buddhist films in celebration of Buddha’s birthday.
“Saturday Traditional Folk Play” is a regular performance of important intangible cultural assets designated by the Korean government and Busan local government. The purpose of the performance is to introduce traditional folk plays designated as Busan’s intangible cultural assets to domestic and foreign tourists and promote the artistic superiority of Korean culture. The audience can understand tradition and culture specific to Busan by experiencing various folk plays handed down from generation to generation. In addition, the performance expands the opportunity for not only Busan citizens but also visitors to enjoy traditional cultures, paving the path for culture education to reduce cultural gap between generations. By integrating performances with tourist attractions, Busan will make a step forward as a famous region loved by domestic and international tourists.
Since its opening, Arts Council Korea - Performing Art Center has introduced many regular programs including excellent repertory series, new generation performance artists series, themed performance arts series and other planned programs. The Marronnier Summer Festival will be a participatory festival including outdoor performances with an expected audience of 20,000 people for six consecutive days.
Namwon Newly-appointed Governor’s Procession is a fusion performance about the parade for celebrating the appointment of Byeon Hak-do as Namwon governor in the story of Chunhyang, set in Gwanghallu Garden, one of Namwon’s representative cultural resource. The event connected to Gwanghallu Garden and the Chunhayng Theme Park takes place from April to November every year, giving various spectacles and activities to visitors. The parade starts from the Plaza of Love and ends at Gwanghallu Garden, where various shows such as Gisaeng Jeomgo, military processional music performance, Yukbang performance, and a fan dance by gisaeng (female entertainers) are performed. In addition, fun activities like experiencing the punishment of the Joseon Dynasty, folk games, and a photo event are arranged for visitors. This performance has been designated as a Standing Cultural Tourism Program for nine consecutive years since 2007.
The Changsung Honggildong Festival will take place in the area around Honggildong Theme Park in Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do. The festival is organized by the county of Jangseong-gun and managed by the Jangseong-gun Festival Organizing Committee. Events during the festival include a wild flower exhibition at Gildong Village, an insect exhibition hall, photo exhibitions, illustrated poetry exhibitions and other hands-on programs.
Yeongyang-gun is where Ilwolsan Montain and the Nakdonggang River meet. The town also takes pride in being home to several writers and martyred patriots. With its clean natural environment, Yeongyang-gun produces a large amount of wild greens that can grow only in uncontaminated areas.
Yeongyang Wild Greens Festival celebrates sannamul (wild greens), a gift of nature. Sannamul are high in vitamins, minerals and fiber, and used in a various Korean dishes. They also used to be presented to kings in ancient days. At the festival, various events will be held such as foraging for and gathering wild greens.