Hamyang County to Open the 21st Hamyang Yeonam Cultural Festival on the 23rd

On the 23rd and 24th, various events including Yeonam's Arrival Parade, Opening Ceremony, and Academic Conference will be held at Ori Forest in Anui-myeon

The 21st Hamyang Yeonam Cultural Festival will be held in Hamyang-gun, a sacred site of Yeonam Silhak, to shed new light on his achievements and to create a harmony of nature, humanity, and art with the participation of local residents and tourists.

The Hamyang Yeonam Cultural Festival Committee of Gyeongnam announced that the 21st Hamyang Yeonam Cultural Festival will take place on the 23rd and 24th at the Ori Forest area in Anui-myeon.

Celebrating its 21st edition this year, the Hamyang Yeonam Cultural Festival is held annually to commemorate and revisit the practical philosophy of Silhak master Park Jiwon, also known as Yeonam, who served as the magistrate of Anui from 1791 to 1795. During his tenure, he applied his research on Silhak for the benefit of the people, such as the practical use of waterwheels, embodying the spirit of 'utilizing and benefiting the people' and his Silhak ideology.

Hamyang County Yeonam Cultural Festival Poster.

This year’s festival will feature a variety of programs, including the Yeonam Academic Conference, Yeonam History Quiz Competition, Yeonam Arrival Parade, Opening Celebration Performance, Yeonam Singing Contest, Yeonam Art Contest, and a Food Market, offering visitors meaningful and enjoyable experiences.

On the first day of the festival, the 23rd, festivities will begin at 4 p.m. with an underwater performance in the Geumho River in front of the special stage, followed by the Yeonam Arrival Parade, pre-ceremony performances, Yeonam Well-being Ritual, the official opening ceremony, and the Yeonam Singing Contest featuring invited singers.

Earlier, starting at 2 p.m., an academic conference will be held at the Happy Anui Spring Center to explore ways to identify and compile scattered Yeonam-related materials, providing an opportunity to reflect on Yeonam's philosophy.

On the second day of the festival, the 24th, at the Gwangpungnu area, a student art contest and various hands-on programs will take place, along with performances such as Deul Sori, Go-go Janggu Club, and Yeonam-related quizzes, offering a wide range of participatory activities.

Jin Byeongyeong, the mayor of Hamyang-gun, said, "The Yeonam Cultural Festival is a valuable occasion to once again reflect on the Silhak philosophy and the spirit of caring for the people embodied by Yeonam Park Jiwon, the greatest Silhak scholar of the Joseon Dynasty," adding, "I hope many people will come together to enjoy and communicate in this harmonious gathering."