Sacheon to Host 10th Turtle Ship Village Festival

A Special Festival to Commemorate the Historical Significance of the Battle of Sacheon

A special festival will be held in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, to commemorate the historical significance of the Battle of Sacheon, where the turtle ship (Geobukseon) made its first appearance and defeated Japanese warships during the Imjin War (1592).

The "10th Turtle Ship Village Festival" will take place from midnight to 5 a.m. on June 14 at Turtle Ship Village in Yonghyeon-myeon, Sacheon, the site of the Battle of Sacheon.

Now in its 10th year, the Turtle Ship Village Festival was established to share the village's traditions and community spirit with the local society, and to create a space where different generations can come together in harmony.

This year's festival is especially meaningful as it is the result of collaboration among village residents and various communities, organized as part of the Rural New Vitality Plus Project.

The festival will feature a range of performances, beginning with a traditional farmers' music performance, followed by Korean traditional music trot, local singer performances, children's dance, and folk song choir stages.

Additionally, there will be interactive booths where people of all ages can participate in activities such as trying on Admiral Yi Sun-sin's uniform, making turtle ships, and making gochujang (red chili paste). Food booths will offer local specialties such as sorghum rice balls and Ssok skewers.

There will also be a "Find the Golden Key" event for the first 100 participants. The top prize, a golden key, will be awarded to the participant who most creatively expresses a story or drawing related to Turtle Ship Village.

In particular, all participants will join together to perform Ganggangsullae, a traditional circle dance, wishing for the village's well-being and prosperity, and reflecting on the historical significance of the Battle of Sacheon to conclude the festival.

Jung Youngae, the operating committee chair of Turtle Ship Village, said, "I hope this festival becomes an occasion where village residents and various communities come together, and everyone can communicate and enjoy themselves."