'Seonnong Daeje budget: 195.55 million won, Sulleong Sulleong Gugak Concert budget: 50 million won'
On the morning of April 19, Dongdaemun-gu (headed by Mayor Lee Pilhyung) held the 46th Seonnong Daeje, a ritual to pray for a bountiful harvest and happiness, in the area around Seonnongdan Historic Park near Jegidong.
This area was historically used for farming, and during the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties, the king performed rituals for Seonnongsi and Hujiksi here to pray for a good harvest. The tradition of sharing beef soup with the people after the ritual is said to be the origin of Seolleongtang.
Continuing this tradition, Dongdaemun-gu is holding the Seonnong Daeje for the 46th time this year.
The event began at 9 a.m. with the 'Jeonhyangrye' ceremony, where incense and ritual texts used in the ritual were delivered at the Dongdaemun-gu Office Square. This was followed by the grand 'Royal Procession' to Seonnongdan, which paraded along the road. About 300 citizens participated in the procession, including ritual officiants from the Seonnong Daeje Preservation Committee, traditional market merchant associations, the Seoul Yangnyeongsi Association, international students, and children's taekwondo groups, creating an 'open ritual culture' reinterpreted with a modern touch.
Citizens paused to enjoy the 'Royal Procession' as it filled the streets with traditional splendor.
When the procession arrived at Seonnongdan, traditional rituals such as the Seonnong ritual offering, ritual music, and Ilmu dance performances were vividly reenacted, bringing 600 years of history to life.
At the same time as the ritual, the 'Seolleongtang Sharing for 2,500 People' event held at Jongam Elementary School across from the altar was met with great enthusiasm from residents. Guided by volunteers from the Dongdaemun-gu branch of the Korean Red Cross and the Dongdaemun-gu Volunteer Center, citizens were able to enjoy Seolleongtang in an orderly and pleasant environment.
On the previous day, April 18, the 'Sulleong Sulleong Gugak Concert' was held in a festive atmosphere at the Garden of Knowledge in Jeonnong-dong.
The budgets for the Seonnong Daeje and the Gugak concert were displayed at the bottom of the event poster so that all residents could see them.
A Dongdaemun-gu official explained, "The district council has established an ordinance requiring that the budget scale be disclosed for any expenditure exceeding 30 million won, so that residents can see it."
Sulleong Sulleong Gugak Concert held on the evening of the 19th at the Garden of Knowledge in Dongdaemun-gu
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