Yeongyang-gun Successfully Concludes the 17th Jo Ji-hoon Art Festival

In Yeongyang-gun, Gyeongbuk Province, the Yeongyang Literary Association (President Hwang Tae-jin) hosted the 17th Jo Ji-hoon Arts Festival from May 11 to 12 to commemorate the literary philosophy and spirit of Jo Ji-hoon, a representative poet of the Cheongnokpa and a scholar known for his integrity.

The 17th Jo Ji-hoon Art Festival held from May 11 to 12.

The event was successfully held in the Jusil Village area of Ilwol-myeon, Yeongyang-gun, the hometown of poet Jo Ji-hoon, with about 1,000 participants including contestants of the writing contest and drawing competition, as well as literary figures.

This year's writing contest was held for elementary, middle, high school, and university/general divisions with the themes "Afternoon at the Zoo," "Life in the Universe," and "Orange-colored Sky." The drawing competition was conducted under the theme "Jusil Village Area."

Additionally, the Jo Ji-hoon Arts Festival performance program included a traditional parade marking the start of the festival, a large drum performance by the Provincial Gugak Orchestra, Seungmu dance performance, Jo Ji-hoon poetry song concert, Jo Ji-hoon poetry recitation performance, and Yeongyang Wonnoreum performance. Various exhibitions were also held, such as an art exhibition by artist Kim Nan-hee and a poetry and painting exhibition by members of the Yeongyang Literary Association.

County Governor Oh Do-chang stated, "The Jo Ji-hoon Arts Festival is a comprehensive cultural and artistic event representing Yeongyang, the hometown of literary fragrance. Moreover, Jusil Village is the hometown of Jo Ji-hoon, a scholar of integrity who is the root of his literary philosophy and works. We hope visitors take a meaningful time exploring the village and experiencing the thoughts and works of poet Jo Ji-hoon."

Jo Ji-hoon, born in Jugok-ri, Ilwol-myeon, Yeongyang-gun, is a Cheongnokpa poet who left numerous national heritages such as "Seungmu" and "Nakhwa," completing the mainstream of modern Korean poetry and is a proud literary master of our region. His poetry is characterized by the combination of traditional rhythm and the aesthetics of lines with modern methods.