Namyangju-si Gwangneung Forest Festival, Held Once a Year, Attracts Over 40,000 Visitors

See You Again Next Year, Gwangneung Forest

Joo Gwang-deok, Mayor of Namyangju City, is delivering a greeting at the opening ceremony of the 19th Gwangneung Forest Festival on the 28th.

Gyeonggi Namyangju City (Mayor Joo Gwang-deok) announced on the 30th that the '19th Gwangneung Forest Festival,' held over two days from the 28th to the 29th at Gwangneung Forest and Kknaksae Soccer Field in Jinjeop-eup, successfully concluded with around 40,000 visitors.

Gwangneung Forest, designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is a site of high natural environmental value. During the festival, the normally restricted forest trails were opened to the public, and for the first time, shuttle buses were operated to alleviate traffic congestion, attracting significant interest and positive responses.

At the opening ceremony on the first day, Mayor Joo Gwang-deok of Namyangju City, local members of the National Assembly, provincial and city council members, and numerous citizens attended to celebrate the start of the festival. The opening performance and a congratulatory show by the choir group Harmonize delighted visitors’ eyes and ears.

Visitors also explored the flea market 'Gwangneung Forest Village Market' held at the entrance of Gwangneung Forest under clear autumn weather and experienced various photo zones and rest areas while walking the forest trails.

Additionally, they enjoyed small-scale busking performances at the 'Gwangneung Forest Stage,' spending a special time experiencing nature and culture simultaneously. At Kknaksae Soccer Field, 15 teams from local universities and citizen performance groups took the stage, further elevating the festival atmosphere.

Notably, this festival was citizen-led, with the Namyangju Northern Volunteer Center coordinating nine organizations and over 200 volunteers who assisted with △parking guidance △festival information △on-site cleanup, contributing to the smooth operation and success of the festival.

Mayor Joo Gwang-deok said, “Thanks to the efforts of citizens and volunteers, the Gwangneung Forest Festival was successfully completed. We will continue to seek sustainable development to make it a festival with an even brighter future and ensure it becomes a representative festival of Namyangju by providing ongoing interest and support.”

Meanwhile, Gwangneung Forest is a treasure trove of biodiversity, hosting the highest number of species per unit area in Korea. It was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2010, gaining global recognition for its importance. Furthermore, based on the uniqueness and excellence of the ongoing festivals, the Gwangneung Forest Festival was selected as a ‘Gyeonggi Tourism Excellent Festival’ for 2024.