Environmental Exploration, Cultural Arts Programs, etc.
'3(No) Festival' First Regional Festival to Introduce ESG
The 28th Muju Firefly Festival opened in a grand style on the 31st at Deungnamu Stadium in Muju-eup, Muju-gun, Jeonbuk, under the theme of 'A Healing Journey to the Nature Special City Muju.'
According to Muju-gun, the event began at 5:30 PM with pre-ceremony performances by the Muju-gun Taekwondo Demonstration Team and the Shaolin Martial Arts Team from Dengfeng City, China. The opening ceremony featured a spectacular entrance parade. The festival included a dazzling display of firefly lights combined with ▲ Anseong Nakwhanori (fireworks flower play) and drone show ▲ Fireworks ▲ Laser show ▲ Starlight bridge, among others.
The entrance parade from Muju-gun Office to the opening venue at Deungnamu Stadium was joined by about 300 people, including residents from six towns and townships, the Muju Family Center, Nongak (traditional Korean percussion music) teams, and members of the Muju-gun Hometown Association, boosting the festive atmosphere.
Residents expressed, "As a Muju person, we feel great joy to be part of the Firefly Festival," and added, "We hope the nine-day journey brings good energy to everyone."
The opening ceremony was attended by about 10,000 people, including Hwang Inhong, the Muju County Governor; Oh Gwangseok, Chairman of the Muju County Council; Kim Gwan-young, Governor of Jeonbuk Province; Ahn Ho-young, National Assembly member; Seo Geo-seok, Superintendent of Jeonbuk Education; and heads of local governments and sister cities within the province, making it a grand event.
Governor Hwang Inhong said, "This year, in addition to the three no's festival, we will create an eco-friendly festival that everyone participates in and practices," adding, "We will be the first local festival to introduce the ESG concept and fulfill environmental and social responsibilities befitting Korea's representative environmental festival."
The theme performance, which began with the opening declaration by Festival Chairman Yoo Song-yeol, featured ▲ Act 1 'The Primordial Light' ▲ Act 2 'Firefly' ▲ Act 3 'Chaos' ▲ Act 4 'Pollution' ▲ Act 5 'Purification,' showcasing videos, performances, and special effects aimed at coexistence between nature and humans, receiving great acclaim.
On the stage for the opening celebration performance, trot singer Jang Minho raised the atmosphere to a high level. At Namdaecheon River, the 'Firefly Light Festival' unfolded with the backdrop of the starlight bridge, featuring Muju Anseong Nakwhanori, drone shows, fireworks, and laser shows, marking the grand finale of the opening ceremony.
Song, a 45-year-old visitor from Sejong, said, "The charming festival site is beautiful, but above all, the meticulous focus on eco-friendliness down to every prop and facility was truly impressive."
So, a 38-year-old who came from Daejeon with her children, also shared, "There are many photo spots throughout the festival site, and the program where you complete eco-friendly practice missions and receive certification is impressive," adding, "The light sculptures, shade tents made from discarded banners, and trash bin sculptures are all fascinating."
Meanwhile, the 28th Muju Firefly Festival will be held for nine days from the 31st to the 8th of next month at Deungnamu Stadium and other locations throughout Muju-gun.
This year, the festival is based on the 'Three No's (No Overcharging, No Disposable Products, No Safety Accidents)' principle, strengthening the Nature Special City Muju brand. It also aims to establish its identity as a representative ecological environment festival, raising expectations.
Since its first opening in 1997 under the theme 'Muju, the Land of Nature,' the Muju Firefly Festival has been designated as an excellent festival by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for 10 consecutive years and as the best festival for 5 consecutive years. It has been selected as Jeonbuk Province's representative festival for two consecutive years, a 2024 Pinnacle Award winner, and an eco-tourism festival, growing into a world-class festival.
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