Goryeong County Holds 2024 World Heritage Festival-Gaya Tumuli Implementation Plan Briefing

Goryeong Jisan-dong Tumuli Designated as a Representative Heritage of Gaya Tumuli

Goryeong County (Governor Lee Namcheol) held an implementation plan briefing session for the successful hosting of the "2024 World Heritage Festival - Gaya Tumuli," which will take place for 14 days from September 23 to October 6, in the Ureuk Room at the county office on the 9th.

The 2024 World Heritage Festival - Gaya Tumuli implementation plan briefing was attended by over 40 people, including Governor Lee Namcheol, Kim Yonghyeon, President of the Tourism Association, heads of departments, and town and township chiefs. The session included a final progress briefing on the World Heritage Festival, sharing of departmental tasks, and identification of areas for improvement.

Under the theme "Forgotten Gaya Civilization, Remembered through Gaya Tumuli," the festival will offer a variety of experiences and attractions to enjoy and spread the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the Gaya Tumuli, which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023.

The detailed programs are largely divided into five value-enjoyment programs and five value-dissemination programs.

The value-enjoyment programs include the "Geumlim Royal Tomb Excavation Ritual," commemorating the first anniversary of the inscription and the excavation of Jisandong Tomb No. 5, the "First Anniversary Opening Ceremony," the "Great Gaya Project of Light," the "Gayageum Grand Performance," and "Falling for Jisandong."

The value-dissemination programs feature "My Jisandong Tumuli Exploration," conducted by professional and child docents, the "Gaya Talk Concert in Goryeong" explained by popular history lecturer Choi Taeseong and others, "The Feast of Daegaya," which offers a chance to experience the cuisine of Daegaya from 1,500 years ago, as well as "Writing My Own Daegaya History" and "Daegaya Mystery."

In addition, the Daegaya Culture and Arts Festival and Cultural Heritage Night Tour, which are held annually against the backdrop of Daegaya's heritage, will be linked events, providing a wealth of attractions and experiences.

The festival will operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and during the latter half of the event, from October 3 to 5, the Cultural Heritage Night Tour will run until 10 p.m., allowing visitors to enjoy the World Heritage value of the Jisandong Tumuli even at night.

Advance reservation programs for this World Heritage Festival, such as "The Feast of Daegaya" and the "Free Log Cabin Pension Stay Program," have been available for reservation on the official website since September 9.

Lee Namcheol, Governor of Goryeong County, stated, "The 2024 World Heritage Festival is an event that allows us to fully focus on the World Heritage value of the Goryeong Jisandong Tumuli. We must thoroughly prepare to widely promote the Jisandong Tumuli as the representative heritage of the Gaya Tumuli and to showcase Goryeong County as a true World Heritage City."

Kim Yonghyeon, President of the Goryeong County Tourism Association, expressed his confidence, saying, "Although there have been various challenges in preparing for the World Heritage Festival, based on the experience and know-how accumulated through the Daegaya Festival and Cultural Heritage Night Tour, we have prepared excellent programs that will allow visitors to experience and enjoy the World Heritage in diverse ways. I am looking forward to the opening of this year's World Heritage Festival."