‘425th Anniversary of Jang Gye-hyang’s Birth Spring Offering Ceremony’ Held … Continuing the Life and Spirit of the ‘Yeojunggunsa’

The '2023 Jang Gye-hyang 425th Birth Anniversary Spring Memorial Tribute Ceremony' was held on May 21, Couples Day, at the Jonang-gak of the Jang Gye-hyang Cultural Experience Education Center in Dudeul Village, Seokbo-myeon, with the attendance of about 40 members from 19 branch offices of the Gyeongbuk region memorial associations to honor the spirit of Jang Gye-hyang (1598?1680), who was praised as a virtuous woman of the mid-Joseon period and the author of the first Korean cookbook written in Hangul, "Eumsik Dimibang."

On the 21st, the Seonyanghoe held the 2023 Yeojunggunsu Jang Gye-hyang Tribute Ceremony at Jonang-gak, Janggyehyang Cultural Experience Education Center in Dudeul Village, Seokbo-myeon, Yeongyang-gun.

The Jang Gye-hyang Memorial Association (President Hong Pil-nam) holds the tribute ceremony twice a year, in spring and autumn, to honor and commemorate the spirit of Jang Gye-hyang, a representative female figure not only in the Gyeongbuk region but also in Korea.

Jang Gye-hyang possessed talents in poetry, calligraphy, and painting, and throughout her life, she devoted herself with sincere love to her family and neighbors. She raised seven children to become excellent scholars who continued the academic lineage of Toegye's Confucianism, setting an exemplary model in all aspects and becoming a role model for future generations.

Furthermore, she is evaluated as an ideal model who demonstrates that regardless of the role a woman plays within the family community, what matters is living humanely and authentically with true human nature.

President Hong Pil-nam of the Memorial Association stated, "By holding this tribute ceremony, we hope that Jang Gye-hyang’s outstanding philosophy and achievements will be remembered by future generations," and added, "We hope this event will inspire pride among local residents and widely promote Jang Gye-hyang’s teachings and spirit, serving as an opportunity for her to be recognized as a representative historical figure of Korea and a notable figure in world women's history."