Chwita Band Parade, Gugak Performance, and Sunlagun Experience
At the Donhwamun-ro Cultural Festival, District Mayor Jeong Munheon is delivering a greeting. Provided by Jongno-gu.
Jongno-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Jeong Munheon) will hold the ‘Donhwamun-ro Cultural Festival’ on the 11th and 12th along Donhwamun-ro as part of the ‘2024 Let's Jongno’ initiative.
Now in its 6th year, the Donhwamun-ro Cultural Festival is one of the 13 events hosted by the district from September 28 to October 31, and it will be the main event during the second week of October in the Let's Jongno series.
Donhwamun-ro, where kings of the Joseon Dynasty traveled to meet their people, has long been home to institutions related to Gugak (traditional Korean music), and even today, it is considered the center of Gugak in Korea, with many traditional instrument shops and academies located throughout the area.
Jongno-gu is holding this festival to widely promote the historical value and beauty of Donhwamun-ro. Organized by the Donhwamun-ro Cultural Preservation Society, composed of local residents, the festival will feature traditional cultural experiences, Gugak performances, and a Sunra-gil tour program.
On the first day of the event, the 11th, the opening ceremony and congratulatory performances will begin at 2:30 PM on a special stage at Donhwamun-ro. The festival will open with a parade by the ‘Paldo Gangsan Gugak Art Troupe’ playing traditional military music, followed by the opening declaration and a fusion Gugak band’s congratulatory performance.
From 11 AM to 5 PM on the 11th and 12th, traditional cultural programs such as ‘rice cake making,’ ‘Makgeolli brewing,’ ‘traditional mobile making,’ and ‘acupressure experience’ will be available for visitors and citizens enjoying their weekend outings.
The ‘Sunra-gun’ experience, recalling the patrol soldiers who monitored inside and outside the capital during the Joseon Dynasty, is also a highlight. Participants will wear the Sunra-gun uniform and, accompanied by a cultural guide, tour around Changdeokgung Palace, a World Cultural Heritage site, reflecting on the historical significance of Donhwamun-ro. Participation is free. Some citizen participation programs require advance registration through the Seoul Public Service Reservation system, while others accept on-site registration on the day of the event.
District Mayor Jeong Munheon described the festival as “a meaningful event that continues the long-standing history of Donhwamun-ro, where kings of the Joseon Dynasty traveled to meet their people,” and added, “We will work together with residents to revitalize Donhwamun-ro by utilizing the rich historical and cultural resources of this area.”
Meanwhile, on the 11th and 12th, Jongno-gu will also hold the ‘K-Jewelry Jongno Festival’ at Seosunra-gil and Jongno Jewelry Street. This event aims to promote the competitiveness and excellence of the Jongno jewelry industry and support sales channels for related businesses. It will feature jewelry pop-up stores, runway shows, and jewelry exhibitions.
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