October 18-20 at World Cup Park Peace Plaza: '17th Mapo Naru Saeujeot Festival' Held
Pre-Festival on 17th at Hongdae Red Road... Promotion Targeting Domestic and Foreign Tourists
High-Quality Domestic Saeujeot from 6 Famous Regions Available 10-15% Cheaper Than Market Price
Nationwide Events Including Filial Piety Marathon, Cute Pet Contest, and Zumba Dance Held
The 17th Mapo Naru Salted Shrimp Festival, hosted by Mapo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Park Gang-su), will be held for three days from October 18 to 20 around the Peace Plaza in World Cup Park.
On the 14th at 11:30 a.m., Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, held a press briefing at the Seoul Press Center and stated, "This festival presents various programs that reinterpret the traditional historical significance of Mapo Naru with a modern sensibility under the slogan ‘Let’s go to Mapo Naru! Let’s taste Mapo Shrimp!’."
During the festival, experiential events and cultural performances will be held in a variety of ways for all generations, from children to seniors, to participate and enjoy together.
At the food market, reusable containers will be used to create an eco-friendly festival, and a salted shrimp market selling high-quality salted shrimp from famous production areas, along with a thrift market, will be opened to ease residents' concerns about rising prices.
Park Gang-su, mayor of Mapo District, is parading after dressing up as a Sato at the Mapo Naru Salted Shrimp Festival last year.
Beyond Mapo, the Mapo Naru Salted Shrimp Festival Takes a New Leap
This year’s Mapo Naru Salted Shrimp Festival will offer even richer programs through various changes.
The biggest change is that the eve festival will be held for the first time on the 17th, the day before the festival opens, at Hongdae Red Road, which is visited by 52% of foreigners coming to Seoul.
The eve festival will feature a variety of performances, starting with a promotional parade by a traditional military band and pungmul troupe at 5 p.m., followed by a talent show for foreigners on Red Road, an eve concert, and a DJ festival.
On the 19th, a street yoga event will be held at Hongdae Red Road R1. Visitors can experience urban yoga, which has been held in world-famous tourist destinations such as New York and Paris, at Red Road, the sanctuary of youth and culture.
On the last day of the festival, the 20th, nationwide competitions such as the ‘Filial Piety Table Marathon,’ the ‘National Pretty Pet Contest,’ and the ‘Zumba Dance Competition’ will take place.
The district plans to develop the Mapo Naru Salted Shrimp Festival into a representative brand festival of Korea by preparing programs that all citizens, including Mapo residents, can participate in through nationwide competitions.
Furthermore, by linking the eve festival and events at Hongdae Red Road, the goal is to naturally introduce the salted shrimp festival to foreign tourists and grow it into a global festival.
A Three-Day Feast Enjoyed by All Ages Amid Autumn Atmosphere
The 17th Mapo Naru Salted Shrimp Festival will open spectacularly with a parade at 1 p.m. on October 18.
Participants dressed in Joseon Dynasty costumes such as satto (local magistrate), peddlers, and police officers will march from Mapo-gu Office to Peace Plaza, and a reenactment of the arrival of the yellow sailboat will provide visitors with a unique spectacle.
On the first day of the festival, a ‘Resident Participation Stage Performance’ and a ‘Festival Night with the Wind Orchestra’ will mark the official start of the festival.
On the 19th, welcoming autumn, the ‘Mapo Residents’ Health Walking Contest’ will be held around World Cup Park and Sky Park for families, friends, and couples to enjoy together.
Additionally, the ‘Resident Participation Choir Festival’ featuring residents’ voices and the ‘TV Chosun Singing Korea’ contest will offer visually and audibly delightful stages.
In particular, the ‘Classic Concert by Lee Sang-hee and Friends,’ held against the backdrop of the yellow sailboat lantern installed on the waterside stage, is expected to be a special stage where visitors can fully enjoy the deepening autumn night atmosphere.
Moreover, various cultural experience programs such as traditional play experiences, children’s playground, Mapo Academy, and an old Mapo Naru photo exhibition will be prepared over the three days, providing special memories for family visitors.
Meet Famous Salted Shrimp from Across the Country at Affordable Prices in Mapo
Last year, about 700 million KRW worth of salted shrimp was sold over three days at the salted shrimp market, gaining great popularity.
This year, eight companies from six regions nationwide, including Gang-gyeong, Gwangcheon, Boryeong, Sinan, Buan, and Sorae, will participate, offering high-quality salted shrimp produced in famous production areas at 10-15% lower prices than market prices to residents visiting the festival for kimchi preparation.
The district selected the companies through recommendations from local governments and strict evaluations by salted shrimp experts, aiming to solidify its position as Korea’s representative salted shrimp market.
Additionally, 16 specialty product markets from Jeollabuk-do Gochang-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do Yecheon-gun, Jeollanam-do Sinan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do Cheongyang-gun, and others, which have partnerships with Mapo-gu, will also operate to allow residents to purchase high-quality agricultural and specialty products at affordable prices.
Park Seo-jin, Lee Chan-won, Na Sang-do, Kang Jin, Ahn Sung-hoon... Exciting Celebration Performances Every Evening
During the festival, exciting performances by famous singers will be held.
At the eve concert on the 17th at Hongdae Red Road, Ahn Sung-hoon and buskers will take the stage to kick off the festival.
On the 19th, talented singers such as Hyun-sook, Jin Mi-ryeong, Hwang In-seon, and Jae-ha will decorate the congratulatory stage of ‘TV Chosun Singing Korea’ at the special stage in Peace Plaza, and on the last day, the 20th, Korea’s representative trot singers Park Seo-jin, Lee Chan-won, and Na Sang-do will appear to brilliantly conclude the festival.
A Festival Without Disposable Products, Aiming for an Eco-Friendly Festival by Expanding Reusable Containers
The district plans to significantly expand the use of reusable containers during the festival to achieve an eco-friendly festival with no incinerated waste.
With the introduction of reusable containers for the first time in 2023, the use of about 204,000 disposable items was reduced, and this year, more items will adopt reusable containers to lead waste reduction and environmental protection.
Not only plates and cups but also spoons and chopsticks will all be prepared as reusable items. Used reusable items will be collected through bins installed at the event site and will undergo cleaning and sterilization by professional companies to be reused the next day.
Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, “The Mapo Naru Salted Shrimp Festival is a place where our tradition and modern sensibility come together, providing an opportunity to widely promote Mapo’s history and culture to the world. This year, with nationwide competitions and linked events at Red Road, we have prepared even richer programs to make it a festival that domestic and international tourists can all enjoy. We hope everyone comes to see the delicious salted shrimp and make joyful memories.”
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