The First National Poetry Recitation Contest for Honguijanggun Held in Uiryeong, the Hometown of Volunteer Soldiers

The "1st Honguijanggun National Poetry Recitation Contest" will be held this April in Uiryeong, the hometown of the righteous army.

"Honguijanggun" refers to General Gwak Jaewoo, also known as Mangudang, who was the first to raise a righteous army during the Imjin War, leading them to victory in battles such as the First Battle of Jinju Fortress and the Battle of Hwaweongsanseong.

He always wore red clothes while commanding the righteous army and called himself "Honguijanggun."

This contest was established to honor General Gwak Jaewoo, who, together with 17 officers, raised a righteous army and achieved victories against the Japanese invaders, to commemorate the noble sacrifices of the national patriots, and to contribute to the development of patriotic poetry recitation culture.

The event is hosted by the Uibyeong Memorial Association, organized by Uiryeong News and the Uiryeong Poetry Recitation Literary Society, and supported by the Uiryeong Literary Association, Uiryeong County, and the Uiryeong County Council.

Anyone aged 18 or older who enjoys reciting patriotic poetry may participate. However, those who have previously won the grand prize in a national poetry recitation contest are not eligible.

Those wishing to participate must submit an application form and a recording file of their recitation of a patriotic poem or a free verse poem to the contest organizing committee's email by midnight on Saturday, April 12.

Participants may submit one manuscript of a Korean patriotic poem, national poem, or free verse poem.

When submitting the poetry recitation file, the participant's name, poem title, poet's name, book title, and publisher must be clearly indicated.

The organizing committee will select finalists through a professional poetry recitation evaluation and will individually notify and announce the finalists on April 14.

The finals will be held at 1 p.m. on April 19 at the Uiryeong County Cultural Center performance hall, and the participation fee is 30,000 KRW.

The grand prize and gold prize winners will each receive a cash award and will be invited to recite a congratulatory poem at the next contest.

For more details, inquiries can be made to the Uibyeong Memorial Association or the Uiryeong Honguijanggun National Poetry Recitation Contest Organizing Committee.