April 18-21, Nationwide
Uibyeong Theme Hall · Uibyeong Boat Route Tour
Gyeongnam Uiryeong-gun, known as the "Holy Land of Uibyeong" that gave birth to the national commemorative day "Uibyeong Day," will hold the "Uiryeong Honguijanggun Festival" for four days from the 18th to the 21st at Seodong Life Park in Uiryeong-eup.
The Sacred Place of Uibyeong, Uiryeong-gun, We Are All Hong Ui-janggun. [Image provided by Uiryeong-gun]
Since last year, Uiryeong-gun has changed the name of the festival, which had been held for nearly half a century under the name "Uibyeong Festival," to the "Uiryeong Honguijanggun Festival."
The county organized the festival to publicize the fact that during the Imjin War, General Gwak Jae-woo was the first in the nation to raise a militia, which became a catalyst for the widespread militia activities across the country, and to establish the "Uibyeong" spirit not as a thing of the past but as a necessary spirit of the times for us today.
During the festival period, Uiryeong-gun aims to exalt the "Uibyeong spirit" as the epitome of justice achieved through the unity of common people, and to position the Uibyeong as a very important focal point for integration and harmony in the current era.
The festival serves to rekindle the spirit of sacrifice shown by the militias who stood resolutely in the face of national crises, and the spirit of integration and harmony that embraced everyone for the goals of "justice and community." Last year, the Honguijanggun Festival was selected as an "Excellent Cultural Tourism Festival" designated by Gyeongsangnam-do for 2024?2025.
True to the festival slogan, "We are all Uibyeong, Honguijanggun gathered together," anyone who visits Uiryeong during the Honguijanggun Festival becomes a Uibyeong. The county has planned events so that tourists can fully experience the spirit of the Uibyeong. Notably, there are Uibyeong experiences designed for "future Uibyeong" children. Children can read books about the exploits of the militias at the Uibyeong Seodang, and experience militia training by making militia weapons such as shields, bows, and swords at the Uibyeong Experience Center and Uibyeong Training Camp.
Through the "National Uibyeong Theme Hall" and the World Uibyeong Culture Experience, visitors can learn about militias nationwide by era and region all in one place. Additionally, there are activities such as horseback riding experiences and barehanded fish catching by the militias, as well as the "Children’s Honguijanggun Selection Contest" and the "Honguijanggun Family Sports Festival," offering a bundle of gifts for children.
The "Uibyeong Historic Site Boat Tour" will also make its debut, allowing participants to experience the footsteps of the militias. On the 20th and 21st, 180 family groups will board non-powered boats to tour Uiryeong tourist spots such as Sotbawi Rock and visit the Uibyeong Museum and the birthplaces of Gwak Jae-woo and An Hee-jae to learn about militia history.
The opening ceremony will feature an unprecedented performance, including the Uibyeong Departure Parade and a torchlight march illuminating the world, allowing visitors to feel the spirit of the militias. A creative thematic performance reexamining the lives and struggles of General Gwak Jae-woo, the 17 commanders, and unnamed militias, along with a drone multi-show that lights up the night sky with colorful displays expressing "Uiryeong, the hero of troubled times," will create a spectacular scene.
In particular, the proclamation ceremony for the vision of Korea’s representative festival celebrating the designation as an excellent cultural tourism festival by Gyeongsangnam-do will feature a media art show, promising a unique visual experience.
Accompanying festivals alongside the Honguijanggun Festival include the Uiryeong Saturday Watermelon Festival, Lee Ho-seop Song Festival, Friendly Archery Competition, National Uibyeong Marathon, Honguijanggun National Freshwater Fishing Competition, and the County Residents’ Unity Festival, each offering diverse attractions to welcome tourists.
Uiryeong-gun aims to successfully hold the 49th Honguijanggun Festival this year and, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary next year, to promote the Uibyeong spirit that Uiryeong has preserved for half a century to the entire nation. The county is announcing plans to host the nation’s largest Uibyeong festival for the 50th anniversary celebration.
"Uibyeong Day" is observed annually on June 1st. The citizens of Uiryeong-gun led the effort to designate it as a national commemorative day in 2010, and the first Uibyeong Day ceremony was held in Uiryeong-gun in 2011.
Meanwhile, the county is considering holding the national commemorative day event for Uibyeong Day annually in Uiryeong, while rotating the event among various militia activity regions nationwide.
County Governor Oh Tae-wan emphasized, "It is the small local government of Uiryeong-gun that independently pushed forward and, after half a century of effort, achieved the establishment of Uibyeong Day. The beginning and end of the Uibyeong spirit is definitely our own pride."
He added, "One of the studies needed in today’s era is learning the Uibyeong spirit. This Honguijanggun Festival will provide a new opportunity for Uiryeong-gun as a focal point for harmony and integration."
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