Experience the Spirit and Joy of Seonbi in May at Yeongju... "Yeongju Korean Seonbi Culture Festival" Opens on the 3rd

A Hands-On Cultural Festival Embracing Seonbi Spirit During the May Golden Holiday
Nature and Tradition Make Yeongju a Healing Travel Destination

In May, when light pink azaleas and spring flowers are in full bloom, the "2025 Yeongju Korean Seonbi Culture Festival" will take place in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, a region renowned for its legacy of Seonbi (virtuous scholars), offering a profound experience of Korea's spiritual culture.

On April 30, Yeongju City announced that from May 3 to May 5, for three days, it will present a variety of traditional cultural experiences and performances under the theme "The Warmth of Seonbi, the Fragrance Born from Encounters" at Sosu Seowon and the Munjeong riverside area.

The site of the Yeongju Korean Seonbi Culture Festival last year. Photo by Yeongju City

Yeongju is the center of Seonbi culture, home to historic cultural heritage sites and scenic spots such as Sosu Seowon, the first Confucian academy in Korea to receive royal charter, the thousand-year-old Buseoksa Temple, and the pristine nature of Sobaeksan Mountain. This year's festival is characterized by its reinterpretation of Seonbi spirit with a modern sensibility, transforming it into a cultural tourism experience that highlights these regional features.

This year's festival will be held throughout Yeongju, including Sosu Seowon, Seonbi Village, Seonbi World, and the Munjeong riverside area.

On the first day of the festival, May 3, events will include a traditional ritual, the outdoor play "Paengpajeon," the Dendong Mother Flower Pancake Play, the opening ceremony, and a Seonbi concert. On the second day, there will be a children's hanbok fashion show, a gayageum concert, random play dance events, and a competition for local artists. On Children's Day, the final day, the focus will be on family-oriented experiences and performances, such as a magic bubble show and a balloon show.

Notably, prior to the festival, on May 1 and 2, the creative musical "Jeong Dojeon" will be performed at Yeongju Citizens' Hall. This production, based on the Seonbi spirit and depicting the life of Jeong Dojeon, is expected to provide both educational value and emotional resonance.

During the festival, more than 50 Seonbi-themed lanterns will be displayed at the Munjeong riverside, and the "Seonbi Theme Hall" will feature an experiential zone that recreates the life of a Seonbi according to the twelve hours of the day. In addition, visitors can participate in a variety of traditional cultural experiences, such as making mother-of-pearl keychains, writing family mottos, and trying on traditional attire.

Furthermore, the surrounding area offers a wealth of tourism resources to enhance the joy of spring travel, including Sobaeksan Mountain, which is covered in azaleas, Museom Village, famous for its single-log bridge, and Punggi, known for its hot springs and ginseng.

An official from the city stated, "The Seonbi Culture Festival is not just a spectator event, but a participatory festival where citizens and tourists come together to experience and enjoy the Seonbi spirit," adding, "It will be a healing travel destination where visitors can enjoy spiritual rejuvenation amid tranquil nature."

With the opening of the KTX-Eum line, Yeongju is now only about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Seoul, making it highly accessible.

2025 Yeongju Korean Seonbi Culture Festival Poster.