"Beyond the Nakdong River, the Light of Yangsan Shines Worldwide"... Grand Opening of the Yangsan Sapnyang Cultural Festival

A Grand Festival of Harmony and Excitement Blending Nature, People, and Culture

The ‘2024 Yangsan Sapnyang Cultural Festival,’ held for three days from October 4 to 6 at the banks of Yangsan Stream and the Yangsan Sports Complex, has announced its grand opening.

Yangsan Sapryang Cultural Festival Opening Ceremony Yangsan Daejong Bell Ringing Ceremony.

Although the festival was temporarily put on hold at the end of last month due to concerns over an approaching typhoon, it was fortunately able to proceed as scheduled thanks to improved weather conditions.

With the theme ‘Beyond the Nakdong River, Yangsan’s Light to the World,’ this year’s festival extended its duration by one day compared to previous years, offering a more diverse array of programs.

To highlight the meaning of ‘Sapnyang,’ the old name of Yangsan, the festival featured booths shaped like traditional Korean tile-roofed houses, showcasing the story of Park Jesang of Sapnyang and operating the Sapnyang Experience Zone and Sapnyang Tavern, thus embracing tradition and history. The floating bridge, a recreation of the Gukgyedari, was extended this year to connect to the midstream island of Yangsan Stream (Sapnyang Gorae Island), and a wish-tying event utilizing the mysterious image of the island?accessible only during the festival?received great response from visitors.

Responding to feedback that the festival lacked food variety for all age groups, this year’s event added a convenience store-style shop in addition to the existing food street and food trucks. Tables and chairs were placed throughout the venue, allowing visitors to eat and rest comfortably anywhere at any time.

On the auxiliary stage located between the convenience store and the exhibition/experience booths, a series of small performances captivated passersby, and at night, various landscape lights beautifully illuminated the banks of Yangsan Stream. This allowed festival-goers to eat, watch, enjoy, and fully experience relaxation and happiness.

In particular, this year’s Yangsan Sapnyang Cultural Festival took the lead in eco-friendliness by producing and displaying some promotional banners with environmentally friendly materials and encouraging visitors to take their own trash with them, naturally promoting eco-friendly thinking and actions among citizens.

Additionally, prior to the opening ceremony, the festival featured the Gayajin Yongshinje ritual in front of the Yangsan Grand Bell, followed by a bell-ringing ceremony wishing for the festival’s success and the well-being of citizens, signaling the grand start of the three-day event. The festival atmosphere was further heightened by a parade led by the citizens’ Chwita Band, traditional folk performers, and the three dragons of the Gayajin Yongshinje, moving from the Yangsan Grand Bell to the special stage.

The special stage, lavishly decorated with a grand screen and sculptures to suit the autumn festival, hosted a spectacular fireworks show and performances by invited singers following a rousing opening declaration by Mayor Na Dongyeon of Yangsan on the evening of the 4th. The area along the banks of Yangsan Stream was packed with citizens and tourists who came to witness the festival’s opening.

On the afternoon of the 5th, the Samjangsu Body Fitness Competition, featuring male and female athletes showcasing their well-trained physiques, drew great attention from the audience. In the evening, the Samjangsu Gisang Dance Contest attracted another large crowd.

Yangsan Sapryang Cultural Festival Samjangsu Talisman Dance Competition.

Notably, the Samjangsu Gisang Dance, which had been discontinued since 2017, was revived this year to rekindle the spirit of the three renowned military officers from early Joseon Dynasty Yangsan?Lee Jingseok, Jingok, and Jingyu?and to foster unity among citizens. After the team competitions, the entire audience joined in a grand dance, making the second day of the festival a resounding success.

In his welcoming remarks, Mayor Na Dongyeon stated, “The Yangsan Sapnyang Cultural Festival is at the heart of Yangsan’s cultural development, creating a new future through the harmony of tradition and modernity. In 2026, marking the 30th anniversary of Yangsan’s elevation to city status, we will designate it as the ‘Year of Visiting Yangsan’ to open a new chapter of growth. I hope all citizens will come together with the festival’s enthusiasm to make the Year of Visiting Yangsan a great success.”