‘2023 Seonnong Daeje’ Held Around Seonnongdan Historical Park on the 22nd… Lee Pil-hyung, Dongdaemun-gu Mayor, Serves as Chief Ritual Officer-
In addition to the main events such as the Royal Procession and Ritual Ceremony, a variety of side events including Classical Poetry and Drawing Contests, and Seolleongtang Sharing will be held-
The ‘2023 Seonnong Daeje’ will be held on the 22nd at Seonnongdan.
The Dongdaemun Cultural Foundation under Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Lee Pil-hyung) will hold the ‘2023 Seonnong Daeje’ around Seonnongdan Historical Park (Seoul Seonnongdan, Historic Site No. 436) on the 22nd.
The ‘Seonnong Daeje’ had only held ritual ceremonies for the past three years due to COVID-19, but with the lifting of social distancing measures, this year’s event will include not only the rituals but also experiential offerings, drawing contests, and Seolleongtang sharing, generating great anticipation.
In particular, this ritual will be more meaningful as Lee Pil-hyung, Dongdaemun-gu Mayor, will serve as the chief ritual officer playing the role of the king.
The ‘Seonnongje’ is a traditional ceremony praying for a bountiful harvest, honoring the agricultural gods Shinnong (神農) and Hujik (后稷), and includes the king’s personal plowing. This tradition has been passed down from the Silla Dynasty through the Joseon Dynasty. The ‘Seonnongje’ was interrupted during the Japanese colonial period but was restored in 1979 by the Seonnongdan Friendship Association (now Seonnongdan Preservation Society), formed by dedicated people in Jegi-dong. Since 1992, Dongdaemun-gu has hosted the ‘Seonnongje,’ and since 2019, the Dongdaemun Cultural Foundation has taken over hosting, with the Seonnongdan Preservation Society (Chairperson Kim Hee-kyung) organizing the annual ‘Seonnong Daeje.’
This year’s ‘Seonnong Daeje’ will begin at 9 a.m. on the 22nd with the Jeonhyangrye ritual in front of the Seonnongdan Historical and Cultural Center, followed by a royal procession along a 300-meter route from Exit 1 of Jegi-dong Station to Seonnongdan. The procession will consist of about 150 participants including the traditional military band, the Obang Yukjeonggi flags, ritual officers, and royal guards.
From 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., the ritual ceremony will be held at Seonnongdan Historical Park under the leadership of Kim Hee-kyung, Chairperson of the Seonnongdan Preservation Society, lasting about 90 minutes and including the sequence of Jeonpye-rye, Cheonjo-rye, Chohun-rye, Ahun-rye, Jonghun-rye, Eumbok-rye, and Mangyo-rye.
Additionally, students who applied in advance will participate in a program to experience the Seonnongje ritual at the Seonnongdan Historical and Cultural Center. Side events include a classical poetry contest with about 50 members of the Seoul and Gyeonggi Han Poetry Association and a drawing contest for about 100 local elementary school students. Awards for the poetry and drawing contests will be presented after the ritual ceremony.
Lee Pil-hyung, Chairman of the Dongdaemun Cultural Foundation (Dongdaemun-gu Mayor), said, “We hope many people will visit the Seonnong Daeje, held in full scale for the first time in three years, to enjoy our traditional culture rooted in agriculture with interest, and share Seolleongtang, a dish originating from the Seonnongje, reflecting on its meaning. Thanks to the support of many, we have been able to continue the tradition of the Seonnong Daeje. We will continue to do our best to preserve, inherit, and develop our precious local traditional culture.”
Mapo-gu Resumes ‘Mapo Village Tour’ Walking with Stories from Village Tour Guides
11 Courses Reflecting Local Characteristics, Operated Twice Daily for Free… Advance Reservation on Mapo Culture and Tourism Website
Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Kang-soo) is launching the ‘Mapo Village Tour,’ where participants explore hidden local attractions and eateries with a guide.
The Mapo Village Tour is a program operated by the district to discover tourism resources beyond Mapo’s famous tourist spots, such as hidden attractions and eateries, aiming to revitalize local tourism and economy.
This year, the tours are divided into 11 courses across three areas: Hongdae, Hapjeong, Mangwon area (9 courses), Sangam and Gwangheungchang area (1 course), and Ahyeon, Dohwa, Yonggang area (1 course).
The area with the most courses is Hongdae, Hapjeong, and Mangwon. Nine courses are prepared with themes such as ▲Hidden alleys around Chaekgeori Street ▲Yanghwa Ferry, Jamdubong Historic Site, Han River area ▲Hongdae’s three major bakeries ‘Bread Pilgrimage’ ▲Galleries and cafes around Hongdae.
The Sangam and Gwangheungchang area course covers Gongminwang Shrine, Bamseom Bugundang, Bamseom Park, and the Ahyeon, Dohwa, Yonggang area course includes Asodang Site, Jeong Gujung House, Lee Ji-ham House Site, and Mapo Terminal Monument.
Each course is conducted by walking while listening to professional commentary from village tour guides, with each course taking about two hours. The program operates twice daily from Tuesday to Saturday until October.
Those who wish to participate can make advance reservations on the Mapo Culture and Tourism website, and there is no participation fee. However, participants must cover personal expenses such as drinks and experience fees during the tour.
The schedule may change due to weather or other reasons. For more details, check the Mapo Culture and Tourism website or contact the Mapo-gu Tourism Policy Division.
Park Kang-soo, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, “The Mapo Village Tour is a great opportunity to slowly explore hidden local attractions and eateries while listening to free explanations from knowledgeable guides. We will continue to promote projects that contribute to local tourism and commercial district development, such as the Mapo Circular Train Bus.”
Children and Youth in Seodaemun-gu Set Out to Explore Local Attractions
Elementary and Middle School Students Participate in Curriculum-Linked Experiential Learning Program ‘My Hometown Exploration’
Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Lee Seong-heon) announced on the 17th that it will operate the curriculum-linked experiential learning program ‘My Hometown Exploration’ for local elementary school 3rd graders through middle school 3rd graders from this month until December.
This is a customized exploration program outside the classroom designed to enhance understanding of local culture and history, receiving enthusiastic responses with 170 classes applying.
Students visit one preferred site among 13 locations linked to the curriculum, including Seodaemun-gu Office and Council, Ansan Jarak-gil Trail, Seodaemun Natural History Museum, Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea Memorial Hall, Seodaemun Prison History Hall, and Useok Jeonggak Museum, for about two hours starting at 9:30 a.m.
One teacher said, “The differentiated exploration learning unique to Seodaemun-gu, conducted with local cultural activists, provides students with beneficial and enjoyable experiences.”
Lee Seong-heon, Mayor of Seodaemun-gu, said, “I hope that understanding of local history and culture will lead to pride in one’s hometown.”
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