Jinju 'Nongae Festival' to Be Held as an In-Person Event for the First Time in 3 Years

Historical Musical ‘Uigi Nonggae’ and a Total of 43 Events

Introduction of ‘Ena Cashje’ to Promote Local Economic Revitalization

Jinju's representative spring festival, the 21st Jinju Nongae Festival, will be held as an in-person event from May 5 to 8.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] The representative spring festival of Jinju, Gyeongnam, the "21st Jinju Nongae Festival," will be held for four days from May 5 to 8 at Jinju Fortress and the Namgang River area.

First held in 2002, the "Jinju Nongae Festival" is a festival that continues the loyalty of 70,000 civilians, officials, and soldiers including Nongae, who sacrificed herself at Jinju Fortress during the Imjin War, and the spirit of Jinju, while allowing visitors to enjoy and experience the unique gyobang culture that only Jinju possesses.

This year’s festival is co-hosted by Jinju City, Jinju Cultural Tourism Foundation, Jinju Cultural Center, and Jinju Folk Arts Preservation Society, and organized by the Jinju Nongae Festival Organizing Committee.

Marking its 21st edition, the Jinju Nongae Festival presents its efforts to reinterpret gyobang culture in a modern way and establish itself as a new axis of arts and culture under the theme "The Day Gyobangcheong Opens ? Connecting Generations by Meeting Traditional Culture and Youth."

Chairman Kang Won-gi of the Organizing Committee said, “We aim to be a festival that resonates with traditional culture and generations, a family outing, a citizen-participatory festival, and a cultural arts education festival, while bringing back the romance and memories of face-to-face festivals.”

Starting this year, the Jinju Nongae Festival will feature 16 main events including the "Uiam Byeolje" and the musical rebirth of "Uigi Nongae," along with 17 subsidiary participation events and 10 accompanying events, offering a diverse program.

During the festival, performances will be held 7 to 8 times a day at five locations within Jinju Fortress, including a special stage in front of the statue of General Kim Si-min. This year, fringe performances will be held on Rodeo Street in the city center.

From the 5th for three days at 8:20 PM, the reenactment play of Nongae’s patriotic sacrifice, "Uigi Nongae," will be performed at the Uiam Rock area in a new format as a "historical musical."

At the outdoor performance hall of Jinju Fortress, daily themed performances including invited acts such as Korean traditional a cappella and percussion performances will be held, along with traditional wedding reenactments, family-participatory games like "Knowing Nongae Correctly," and the "Nongae Artisan Festival," a competition gathering talented individuals from across the country.

Additionally, programs such as the "Cultural Arts Market Street" held within Jinju Fortress, the emotional camping event "Spring at Jinju Fortress," cultural arts education "Gyobang Skill Yard," and "Surisuri Masuri: The Magician Who Came to Joseon" will offer engaging experiences.

During the festival, Jinju Fortress will also host the Jinju Fortress Su-seong Junggun-yeong changing of the guard ceremony, traditional weapon and martial arts experiences, and accompanying events such as the Saturday regular Jinju bullfighting matches, Jinju Woodcraft Transmission Center experiences, and the Jinju Pogurakmu public event, providing visitors with various attractions and hands-on activities.

One of the festival’s host organizations, the Jinju Cultural Tourism Foundation, has introduced the "Ena Cash System," which refunds 10% of the amount spent in Jinju to tourists visiting the festival site in the form of Jinju Love Gift Certificates.

Jinju City will also conduct the "3S Kindness Campaign" for all visitors to the festival site and the "Festival Waste Elimination Campaign" to promote an eco-friendly festival without trash.