Yangju City in Gyeonggi Province held the 8th Yangju Hoeamsaji Royal Festival from June 13 to 15 at the historic Yangju Hoeamsaji site under the theme "Announcing Yangju Hoeamsaji to the World! Part 2." The festival concluded on a grand note with enthusiastic responses from 100,000 visitors.
The 8th Yangju Hoeamsaji Royal Festival, held from the 13th to the 15th at the Yangju Hoeamsaji site, concluded successfully with enthusiastic responses from 100,000 visitors. Provided by Yangju City
According to Yangju City on June 16, this year's festival was enriched with a variety of unique events, including a differentiated royal procession as the main program, an expanded scale of citizen participation groups, a nighttime tourism program highlighting the beauty of Hoeamsaji after dark, the "Old&New" performance connecting the past, present, and future, and programs set in the Joseon Dynasty. These features showcased the unique charm and history of Yangju to a wide audience.
On the first day, June 13, the festival opened with a series of storytelling performances, starting with the departure ceremony of the Yangju magistrate to welcome King Taejo Yi Seonggye, called "Time to Welcome the Great King," followed by the "Tribute Procession" of the people of Yangjugol and the "Royal Procession" of King Taejo, moved by their tribute. These performances unfolded in a grand and majestic manner. The evening continued with celebratory performances by local artists and the band Gyeongji, energizing the festival grounds.
The main events on June 14 featured lively yet elegant performances and a quiz program called "Raise the Bronze Bell," held on the main stage against the backdrop of Yangju Hoeamsaji. Performers included the Yangju City Hapkido Federation, a traditional magic show, and the Gyeonggi Sori Preservation Society.
On the same day, a royal procession performance titled "People of Yangjugol, Welcome the Royal Procession!" took place at Okjeong Central Shopping Street, further heightening the excitement of the festival.
The largest royal procession in northern Gyeonggi, with participation from over 100 Yangju citizens, continued all the way to Yangju Hoeamsaji. The opening ceremony, combined with the "Return of the King, Fantasia" performance, allowed attendees to experience both the symbolism and the emotional impact of the event.
On June 15, youth participation events such as the "Joseon Hipster Dance Festival" and the "Yangju National High School Chef Competition" added further energy to the festival. The final stage featured the special singer Byullajo from Yangju, the Yangju City Choir, and guest singers (Hwanghu, Lee Bonggeun, Park Wan, Kim Yongjin, and Hwang Garam), who delivered a moving "Healing Concert" that brought the festival to a dramatic close.
Yang Suhyun, mayor of Yangju, is giving a greeting at the closing ceremony of the 8th Yangju Hoam Temple Site Royal Festival held on the 15th at the Hoam Temple Site area in Yangju. Provided by Yangju City
Meanwhile, a variety of hands-on experience programs also captivated visitors.
The intangible cultural heritage of Yangju, such as Yangju Byeolsandae Nori, Yangju Sangyeo and Hoedaji Sori, and Yangju Sonori Gut, was fully showcased, further enhancing the excitement and emotional resonance for the audience.
Additionally, new location-based programs like "Find the Eight Treasures of Hoeamsaji" and "Rebuild Hoeamsaji" encouraged more active participation from visitors and allowed them to discover the hidden stories of Yangju Hoeamsaji.
Yang Suhyun, mayor of Yangju, said, "I sincerely thank all the visitors who took the time to attend the Yangju Hoeamsaji Royal Festival," and added, "We will do our utmost to make the Yangju Hoeamsaji Royal Festival a leading tourism festival in Korea."
He further stated, "I ask for the continued support of our citizens so that Yangju Hoeamsaji can be inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site."
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