Introduction to Royal Culture, Healing, and Archaeology Content on October 1-2
Festival Celebrating Inclusion in the 'UNESCO' Tentative World Heritage List
[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] The 'Yangju Hoeamsaji Royal Festival,' which celebrates the identity and value of Yangju's 'Hoeamsa Temple Site,' the largest royal temple and a representative Seon (Zen) Buddhist temple from the late Goryeo and early Joseon periods, will be held as an in-person festival for the first time in three years.
On October 1st and 2nd, the festival will offer a time travel experience to the Joseon era at Hoeamsaji (a historic site), known as the 'Healing Palace' of King Taejo Yi Seong-gye, featuring royal culture, healing, and archaeology.
The 'Yangju Hoeamsaji Royal Festival' is Yangju City's representative historical and cultural event and was selected as the '2022 Gyeonggi Tourism Festival,' representing Gyeonggi Province this year.
Main programs include ▲Royal Procession ▲Opening Ceremony with a welcome yard by the Yangju Moksa (local magistrate) ▲Yangju Intangible Cultural Heritage Performances ▲Hoeamsaji Musical Performance ▲Street Theater ▲Fusion Gugak (traditional Korean music) Performances (including Hong Ji-yoon) ▲Closing Ceremony Laser Show, and more.
Interactive programs include ▲Find the Royal Treasure and Rebuild Hoeamsa ▲Delivery Experience Event ▲Ring the Bronze Golden Pagoda (Cultural Heritage Quiz Contest) ▲In and Out Hoeamsa (Historic Site Mission Experience) ▲Hoeamsaji Starlight Tour ▲Stamp Mission Tour ▲Hoeamsaji Forestival ▲I am also an Archaeologist ▲Patterns Blooming on Ceramics ▲World Heritage Registration Wish Maze, among others.
At night, nightscape lighting and photo zones will be operated around the cultural heritage protection area to harmonize with the Hoeamsaji historic site scenery.
Yangju Mayor Kang Soo-hyun said, "At Hoeamsaji, the place of rest for King Taejo Yi Seong-gye's heart, we will put all our efforts into preparing the festival so that visitors, tired from COVID-19, can be healed with joy through a time travel experience to the Joseon era with family and friends."
Meanwhile, Yangju Hoeamsaji was rebuilt on a scale of 262 rooms by the royal monk Naong under the patronage of King Gongmin of the late Goryeo period. Later, Muhak Daesa, the mentor of King Taejo Yi Seong-gye, served as the temple head, and after Yi Seong-gye abdicated as the retired king, he built a palace at Hoeamsa and lived a monastic life there, which is also famous.
Although the original temple was destroyed by an unknown fire in the late 16th century, leaving only the site, architectural styles similar to palaces were confirmed in the ruins spanning over 10,000 pyeong (approximately 33,000 square meters).
Over 100,000 artifacts, including royal ceramics and decorative utensils used in palaces that reveal the dignified culture of the Joseon royal family, were excavated, reemphasizing the historical value and contemporary status of Hoeamsaji.
In particular, in July this year, it was registered on the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list and is recognized as a heritage that archaeologically proves the appearance of Seon Buddhist temples, which were internationally popular in 14th-century East Asia. Efforts are underway to register it as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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