Gyeongnam's Representative Spring Festival, the 23rd Jinju Nongae Festival, Held

Held May 3-6 at Jinju Fortress Area
Rich Attractions with 88 Programs

The representative spring festival of Gyeongnam, the 23rd Jinju Nongae Festival, will be held for four days from May 3 to 6 at Jinju Fortress and along the Namgang River.

The Jinju Nongae Festival is a festival where visitors can see, enjoy, and experience the unique Gyobang culture of Jinju, as well as honor the loyalty and spirit of Jinju, including Nongae, who sacrificed herself at Jinju Fortress during the Imjin War, along with 70,000 civilians, officials, and soldiers. The festival is co-hosted by Jinju City and the Jinju Cultural Tourism Foundation, and organized by the Jinju Nongae Festival Organizing Committee.

Kwon Soon-gi, the chairman of the organizing committee, said, “The 23rd Jinju Nongae Festival presents the cultural and artistic value embodied in Gyobang culture to the citizens and strives to solidify its status as a unique local cultural brand under the theme ‘Korea’s Gyobang Culture Grand Festival Do-Dream.’ It will be a place showcasing the essence of Gyobang culture and a dream venue where all generations unite through culture.”

Especially this year, the festival has prepared programs based on Jinju’s unique Gyobang culture that all generations can empathize with and participate in, expanding experiential and entertainment offerings. The festival site has been planned and organized to embrace the diversity of local culture, reflecting efforts for the growth and development of the Nongae Festival.

Photos of the 23rd Jinju Nongae Festival in Jinju.

The 23rd Jinju Nongae Festival will be held on the largest scale ever, featuring a total of 88 diverse programs, including 37 main events such as the ‘Iam Byeolje’ ritual, 37 side and participatory events, and 14 accompanying events.

The highlight of the festival begins on the first day, May 3, at 5 p.m. on a special stage in front of the statue of General Kim Si-min with the Iam Byeolje ritual. This is followed by a grand-scale ‘Jinju Geommu’ performance with 100 participants, offering a spectacular show. The Iam Byeolje, held for the 33rd year this year, is Korea’s only female ritual ceremony that includes music, song, and dance in its rites, and is a unique cultural heritage that can only be seen at the Nongae Festival. The Iam Byeolje will also be broadcast live on Seogyeong Broadcasting.

From May 3 to 5, every evening at 8 p.m., the ‘Uigi Nongae’ live historical musical will be performed on a special floating stage at Uiam, featuring over 110 performers?the largest cast ever?delivering a grand and moving experience. Praised by leading domestic experts, the ‘Uigi Nongae’ live historical musical is a nighttime tourism content exclusive to Jinju. It introduced paid admission for the first time last year and sold out all performances, receiving high ratings from audiences. Tickets can be reserved in advance by searching ‘Uigi Nongae’ on Naver, with some remaining seats available for on-site purchase.

Additionally, the festival will be filled with substantial and diverse programs such as the ‘1st National Gyobang Culture Grand Festival,’ where the essence of Gyobang dance from across the country can be experienced, the ‘Jinju Municipal Gugak Orchestra Invitation Performance,’ and the ‘Chokseokru Tea Gathering,’ which has expanded its participation scale compared to previous years.

Jinju City plans to transform this year’s Nongae Festival into a K-festival that resonates across generations, aiming to become a festival where history meets youth and that leaps forward as both a traditional and global festival, befitting its reputation as a ‘World Festival City.’

In fact, as global interest in Korean traditional culture grows, the value of Jinju’s traditional culture and arts is being reappraised, and efforts are underway to become a global festival that embraces all generations and nationalities.

In addition to a special invitation performance by an international art troupe from Chiang Mai, Thailand?a UNESCO Creative City with ongoing cultural and artistic exchanges with Jinju?the traditional ritual of Uiam Byeolje will be simultaneously interpreted in English for the first time. Festival promotional materials are produced in six languages: English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, and Korean. Interpretation volunteers will also be deployed and operated to assist foreign visitors.

Alongside the most Korean yet globally appealing performances such as ‘Jinju Ogwangdae,’ ‘Jinju Geommu,’ ‘Jinju Pogurakmu,’ ‘Jinju Sotdaejaengi Nori,’ and the ‘Suseongjung Military Camp Changing of the Guard Ceremony,’ participatory programs that all generations can enjoy together will be offered, including traditional game tournaments, hanbok experiences, authentic traditional games, and craft workshops.

This year, as part of efforts to infuse youth into the festival while embracing tradition and moving toward the future, Choi Eun-seong, director of the student council at Jinju National University of Education, will participate as a youth representative ritual officer in the Nongae Festival’s Uiam Byeolje. This is the first time in history that a young ritual officer has participated in the Iam Byeolje, making it especially meaningful.

To expand participation by local residents and arts groups, this year’s Nongae Festival will select programs and performances through open recruitment. It will also operate booths selling local agricultural and specialty products by accepting applications from local producers and organizations.

One of the most eye-catching features at the festival site is the diverse spatial arrangement. The festival grounds are divided into past and present zones centered around the lawn plaza. A picnic zone using silk shade adds a touch of elegance, while expanded installation of thatched booths evokes the atmosphere of an old marketplace.

Mayor Jo Gyu-il said, “Through the Jinju Nongae Festival, which features the largest number of programs ever including the main events, we will do our best to properly recognize the Gyobang culture, a local refined cultural tradition, and widely promote the excellence of Jinju’s traditional culture and arts.”