The Splendid Opening of the ‘Uiryeong Honguijanggun Festival’ ... A Sign of Success

‘Hero of Turbulent Times’ Drone Multi-Show Spectacle Produced

The nationwide largest Uibyeong (righteous army) festival, the ‘Honguijanggun Festival,’ hosted by Uiryeong-gun, Gyeongnam, known as the ‘Holy Land of Uibyeong,’ spectacularly opened on the 18th.

Especially, with the Honguijanggun Festival being selected last year as the ‘2024?2025 Gyeongsangnam-do Designated Excellent Cultural Tourism Festival,’ confidence and enthusiasm for a more successful festival than ever before are rising.

The largest nationwide Uibyeong festival hosted by Uiryeong-gun, the "Honguijanggun Festival," featuring the lighting ceremony of the sacred fire.
[Image provided by Uiryeong-gun]

On the first day, the 19th, a memorial rite was held at Uiryeong Chungiksa Shrine with about 200 attendees including descendants of Uibyeong commanders, heads of local organizations, and students. The rite was officiated by Nam Gi-cheong, former head of Uiryeong Hyanggyo, with Oh Tae-wan, the county governor, serving as the chief officiant, Yoon Byung-yeol, vice chairman of the Uiryeong County Council, as the second officiant, Lee Gi-so, a descendant of General Lee Un-jang, as the third officiant, and Joo Jae-myung, a descendant of General Joo Mong-ryong who served under General Gwak Jae-woo, as the ritual master.

In the evening, the lighting ceremony of the spirit fire, drum performances, and the lantern parade created a magnificent spectacle, deepening the festive atmosphere.

The ‘Saturday Watermelon Festival’ and ‘Folk Ox Wrestling Competition’ were also held as accompanying events. In the ‘Champion Watermelon Selection Contest,’ which selects the largest and sweetest watermelons, a 26 kg large watermelon and a high-sugar watermelon with 13.5 Brix, excelling in shape, color, and sweetness, were selected, drawing attention. The ox wrestling competition prepared grand prizes such as a racing car, a golden calf, and agricultural specialty products for spectators.

At the festival site, the ‘National Uibyeong Theme Pavilion,’ ‘Uibyeong Seodang (Confucian school),’ and ‘Uibyeong Training Center’ were set up for children, and the ‘Uibyeong Historic Site Boat Tour’ has been receiving continuous inquiries from family tourists.

At the opening ceremony held on the afternoon of the 19th, the Uibyeong departure parade announcing the start of the festival and the torch march, which brightly illuminated the world with dignified steps, conveyed the spirit of the Uibyeong.

The nationwide largest Uibyeong festival, "Honguijanggun Festival," held by Uiryeong-gun, the "Holy Land of Uibyeong," features the lighting ceremony of the sacred fire.
[Image provided by Uiryeong-gun]

The creative thematic performance reexamining the lives and struggles of General Gwak Jae-woo, the 17 commanders, and the nameless Uibyeong, along with the ‘Drone Multi-Show’ expressing ‘Uiryeong, the protagonist of troubled times!’ in vivid colors in the night sky, created a magnificent spectacle.

Especially, the ‘Korea Representative Festival Vision Declaration Ceremony’ celebrating the designation as an excellent cultural tourism festival of Gyeongsangnam-do, together with a media art show, promises a unique visual experience. Invited singers such as Insooni and Park Seo-jin will present a splendid stage.

The Uiryeong Honguijanggun Festival runs until the 21st.