The Largest Winter Festival in the Central Region, "Winter Gongju Gunbam Festival," Opens on the 16th

Last year, visitors at the Gunbam Festival were roasting chestnuts on a large brazier. Photo by Gongju City Hall

On the 16th, Gongju City in Chungnam opened the '8th Winter Gongju Gunbam Festival' and the 'Korea Chestnut Industry Expo' at the Geumgang Singwan Park area.

The Gunbam Festival, which has rapidly grown into the largest winter festival in the central region, is held under the theme 'A Sweet Journey with Gongju Chestnuts' and will run until the 20th.

At the opening ceremony, an MOU was signed between Gongju City, Korea's leading chestnut-producing region, and Obusemachi, Japan.

The two local governments agreed to actively cooperate for the development and exchange of the chestnut industry and to jointly seek economic revitalization plans to create new business opportunities.

Mayor Choi Woncheol said, "This Winter Gongju Gunbam Festival and Chestnut Industry Expo are important opportunities to promote Gongju chestnuts," adding, "I hope this will be a chance to showcase the excellent quality and taste of Gongju chestnuts nationwide and to promote the development of the local chestnut industry."

The city will run a total of 20 programs in five categories, including the large brazier experience, Gongju Gunbam Grill Zone, Find the Gunbam Merchant, and Night Play with Chestnuts, which are the festival's signature programs.

This year, in particular, a new snow playground for children called 'Winter Kingdom Snowflake Kingdom' has been introduced, where visitors can enjoy various snow activities such as igloos, snowmen, and spinning sleds.

In addition, a direct market featuring 38 local chestnut farms and 24 chestnut processed food companies will be held, where visitors can purchase high-quality Gongju chestnuts and a variety of chestnut-processed foods at 10-20% lower prices.

Furthermore, during the festival, the only chestnut industry expo in Korea will also take place.

The expo features 12 themed exhibition halls, including regional, corporate, and overseas pavilions, and will host a purchasing consultation event with buyers from Japan, Vietnam, and Korea, as well as an international forum highlighting the present and future of the East Asian chestnut industry.

Mayor Choi Woncheol said, "We have prepared a variety of programs where you can fully enjoy Gongju chestnuts, which won the 2024 Korea Representative Brand Award. I hope you and your family will create special memories and experiences at this representative winter festival."