The Only Women's Festival in Korea, Andong Women's Folk Festival to be Held

Women playing Neolttwigi at the Women's Folk Festival.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Gui-yeol] The 18th Women's Folk Festival, the only nationwide women's folk festival hosted by Andong City and Gyeongsangbuk-do and organized by the Andong Cultural Center, will be held on the 5th from 12:30 PM to 6 PM at Andong Ungbu Park and Cultural Park.

Held for the 18th time this year, the Women's Folk Festival gathers women's folk traditions passed down in the Andong region to revive fading seasonal customs and traditional folk culture, serving as a major event to inherit and develop the region's traditional culture.

This event includes the 10th Gyeongsangbuk-do Hwajeonnori Competition, which uncovers the hidden talents of women in Gyeongsangbuk-do and showcases the taste and style of food; the 14th Gyeongsangbuk-do Noguk Princess Selection Contest for elementary school students to pass on and preserve folk culture; yutnori and neolttwigi competitions among townships and neighborhoods to promote harmony among Andong citizens; a performance of Naebanggasa Gyeongchang to hear the voices of women’s lives; and a demonstration of Andong's traditional bridge-stepping game, Notdaribapgi.

The festival will conclude with various cultural experiences, craft workshops, food experiences, and diverse exhibitions that allow families to enjoy the freshness of nature, as well as a special invited K-pop performance by Yoon Tae-hwa from Miss Trot 2.

The local food cooking contest, which was the highlight of the Women's Folk Festival, will not be held this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

As this event is being held for the first time in three years since its full cancellation in 2020 to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it is expected to be a joyful turning point for citizens to return to normal daily life.

An official from Andong City said, “The Women's Folk Festival is an event where you can feel the true image of Andong, which has preserved traditional culture well, and the cultural capabilities of local women,” adding, “We hope for the enthusiastic support and participation of citizens.”