3.3 Million Residents' Culture and Arts Festival ... Gyeongnam Provincial Sports Festival 'Fanfare'

The 63rd Gyeongnam Provincial Sports Festival, where 3.3 million residents of Gyeongnam come together to enjoy like a festival, opened on the afternoon of the 19th at Miryang Sports Complex.

Governor Park Wan-su, 18 mayors and county heads from the province, Kim Jin-bu, chairman of the Gyeongnam Provincial Council, Kim Oh-young, president of the Gyeongnam Sports Council, representatives of city and county teams, and about 5,000 spectators attended the opening ceremony to celebrate the start of the four-day grand event.

At the opening ceremony of the 63rd Gyeongnam Provincial Sports Festival, Governor Park Wan-su (center) and other key guests and attendees are entering.
[Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government]

The opening ceremony began with a performance by the Changwon University Phoenix cheering squad, followed by a pre-event performance by a professional dance team and invited singer Hi-ryang.

Korean traditional musician Park Ae-ri performed a solo of Miryang Arirang, followed by a dance performance by 63 dancers, media videos, and a drone show. Popular singers such as B.O., Enoch, Dynamic Duo, and Oh My Girl also took the stage, adding to the festive atmosphere.

The Governor of Gyeongnam Province and the mayors and county heads of 18 cities and counties in the province are taking a commemorative photo at the opening ceremony of the 63rd Gyeongnam Provincial Sports Festival, wishing for the successful completion of the event.
[Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government]

This year’s Gyeongnam Provincial Sports Festival was promoted as a cultural and artistic sports festival and a unity festival for residents, combining sports, culture, arts, and tourism.

To this end, Gyeongnam Province prepared cultural heritage night events such as a live musical, water fireworks, and Eohwa Julbulnori (a traditional fire rope play) around Yeongnamru Pavilion and the Miryang River during the festival period, along with intangible cultural heritage performances and a farm festival to provide various attractions.

Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, is delivering an encouragement speech at the opening ceremony of the 63rd Gyeongnam Provincial Sports Festival.
[Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government]

In his encouragement speech, Governor Park said, “This festival will be an opportunity for athletes to fully demonstrate their skills and for residents to unite and harmonize,” adding, “Building on the successful hosting of the Provincial Sports Festival, we will also prepare thoroughly for the National Sports Festival and the National Para Games in October.”

This year’s Provincial Sports Festival is held under the theme “The Power of Gyeongnam United in the Future City Miryang,” taking place at Miryang Sports Complex and other locations throughout Miryang City.

Over four days until the 22nd, about 12,000 athletes will compete in 36 events including athletics, baseball, and volleyball.

The closing ceremony will feature a video screening summarizing the journey so far and an awards ceremony, followed by the handing over of the festival flag to the next host city, Jinju, marking the end of the event.