The Gyeongsan Jindan Dano Festival, a representative traditional cultural festival of Gyeongsan City in North Gyeongsang Province, was held for three days from May 30 to June 1, 2025, at the Namcheon riverside outdoor performance venue and the Gyejeong Forest area in Jain-myeon, and concluded successfully.
This year's Gyeongsan Jindan Dano Festival received an enthusiastic response from visitors with a variety of programs that preserved the depth of traditional culture while adding a modern sensibility.
The festival's core content, the "Jain Dano Five Madang," was accompanied by performances of Korea's representative intangible cultural heritages such as "Seoul Songpa Sandae Nori" and "Busan Jwasuyeong Eobang Nori," which delivered the vibrant charm of living traditional culture and received great applause.
In addition, stages blending tradition and modernity, such as concerts at old houses, modern dance, performances by local artists, and random play dance events, were also very popular. By harmonizing traditional culture and contemporary arts, the festival resonated with the audience and enhanced its artistic value and completeness.
In particular, this year's festival was transformed into a "citizen participation festival," making it even more open. The eve festival, held at the Namcheon riverside in the city center, helped narrow the distance with citizens and increased participation. The main event featured a variety of hands-on activities, including a traditional costume fashion show, a citizen singing contest, a demonstration of changpo hair washing by international students, and Danoju (traditional liquor) making with multicultural families, creating a festival that embraced all generations and cultures.
On the last day of the festival, the sense of community was shared through Daedongnori and Dansimjul connecting events. Celebratory performances by singers Seol Undo and Kim Donga, along with a spectacular fireworks display, marked the grand finale of the festival.
As side events, a Gyeongsan Jain art contest, a university wrestling competition, a children's tea ceremony demonstration, traditional play experience booths, and fan-making activities were held, offering visitors the opportunity to experience and enjoy traditional culture with all five senses.
Cho Hyunil, Mayor of Gyeongsan, said, "The Gyeongsan Jindan Dano Festival is growing beyond a simple reenactment of traditional culture into a festival that shares the existential value and future potential of intangible heritage with citizens," adding, "We will further develop the Gyeongsan Jindan Dano Festival into a global traditional cultural festival that people around the world can relate to and enjoy."
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