Uljin-gun to Host 'Sibiryung Deunggeumjaengi Festival'

Story of Bobusang → Local Cultural Festival

Uljin-gun, Gyeongbuk Province, will hold the ‘Sipiryeong Deunggeumjaengi Festival’ on the 20th in Sipiryeong Village, Samdang Area, Buk-myeon, weaving the hardships of peddlers into stories.

Uljin County Office.

Sipiryeong Village was once a passageway for peddlers who bartered Uljin’s seafood and inland specialties from Bonghwa, and now it serves as the starting point for visitors exploring the Geumgang Pine Forest Trail.

The ‘Sipiryeong Deunggeumjaengi Festival’ is a resident-participation festival that began in 2011 through the community’s own planning and efforts to foster a sense of community among local residents and to inherit and develop traditional heritage. This year marks its 13th anniversary.

The festival is organized around storylines that offer a glimpse into the lives of peddlers, including activities such as carrying baskets on the back and a tavern keeper selection contest. In particular, the Sipiryeong Women’s Association prepares festival performances, providing many attractions.

Near the festival site are tourist resources such as the naturally flowing Deokgu Healing Hot Springs, Uljin Geumgang Pine Forest Trail, and Gusu Valley Natural Recreation Forest, making it one of the best family-friendly resorts for healing both body and mind.

Kang Seong-guk, chairman of the Sipiryeong Village Management Committee, said, “We have sublimated the disappearing traditional cultural heritage into a festival and prepared various attractions, so we hope many people will visit and enjoy the festival.”

Son Byeong-bok, the county governor, said, “The Sipiryeong Deunggeumjaengi Festival is even more meaningful because it is created through the voluntary participation of residents,” adding, “We will continue to seek various ways to develop local festivals and to inherit and develop the traditions and history of Uljin-gun.”