Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongnam Province, held the Azalea Ritual on the 2nd amid the ongoing Hwangmaesan Azalea Festival.
Marking its 27th year, the Azalea Ritual featured Kim Yoon-cheol, the county governor, as the chief officiant, Seong Jong-tae, vice chairman of the county council, as the second officiant, and Lee Jae-wook, chief of Hapcheon Police Station, as the third officiant.
Attendees included Lee Tae-ryeon, chairman of the operations committee, members of the Hapcheon County Council, Lee Byung-geun, fire station chief, Noh Soon-hyun, head of the Nonghyup Bank Hapcheon branch, Lee Kyun-chang, manager of the Gyeongnam Bank Hapcheon branch, Kim Tae-soo, head of the Forestry Cooperative, as well as social organization leaders such as Heo Jong-hong, president of the Hapcheon Cultural Center, and Kim Ji-hyun, chairman of the Daeya Cultural Festival Committee.
Photos of the Hwangmaesan Azalea Festival Ceremony praying for the safety and prosperity of Hapcheon County residents.
The Hwangmaesan Azalea Ritual originated from a mountain spirit ritual performed by local elders interested in admiring the azaleas, who prepared alcohol and offerings, and has continued as the current festival.
Side events on the day included a donation for neighbors in need by singers Su and Jin, an azalea concert, and sales of local agricultural specialties, attracting the attention of tourists.
Governor Kim said, “I extend a warm welcome to visitors from across the country who have come to see the beautiful Hwangmaesan throughout the four seasons. Our county will prioritize visitor safety and do our best to provide services so that visitors can experience the diverse charms of Hapcheon.”
In celebration of Family Month, thousands of spring visitors from across the nation are enjoying the vivid pink azaleas and the spring scenery. Currently, about 70% of the azaleas have bloomed in Hwangmaesan County Park in Gahoemyeon, Hapcheon-gun.
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