[D-100] Sunchang Jangryu Festival... All-Out Efforts for a Successful Event

October 17-19: Three Days of Celebration
at Sunchang Traditional Gochujang Folk Village
and Fermentation Theme Park

Sunchang County in North Jeolla Province announced on July 9 that preparations are in full swing for the 20th Sunchang Jangryu Festival, which will be held on October 17, with 100 days remaining until the event.

The county is making every effort to present a richer and more distinctive festival than ever before, in celebration of the festival’s meaningful 20th anniversary this year.

Poster for the 20th Sunchang Jangryu Festival. Provided by Sunchang County

This year’s festival will take place over three days, from October 17 to 19, at the Sunchang Traditional Gochujang Folk Village and the Fermentation Theme Park. It will be organized as a complex experiential festival where tradition and modernity, hands-on activities and culture are harmoniously combined.

As this year marks the 20th edition of the festival, both its content and format will be significantly upgraded. The festival’s signature program, “Royal Procession to the Fermentation Kingdom 1997,” is being prepared to welcome visitors with even more elaborate performances and a wider variety of attractions.

During the festival, special exhibitions, events, and commemorative ceremonies celebrating the 20th anniversary will also be held. These programs will offer an opportunity to reflect on the journey the festival has taken over the past two decades and to revisit the significance of the Sunchang Jangryu Festival’s growth alongside the local community.

In addition, the Sunchang Arts Festival, held under the subtitle “A Festival within a Festival,” is also drawing attention. This arts festival, staged at a secondary venue, will feature cultural performances by local artists from Sunchang, serving as a platform to showcase the region’s artistic talent and to foster a cultural space where residents and visitors can come together and enjoy the arts.

This year’s festival will also see changes aimed at enhancing visitor convenience and environmental sustainability. The lawn plaza at the Fermentation Theme Park will be set up as a rest area, and the use of reusable containers will be expanded to promote an eco-friendly festival.

County Governor Choi Youngil stated, “As this is a significant year marking the 20th edition, we will thoroughly prepare over the remaining period to create an even richer and higher-quality festival,” adding, “We aim to provide visitors with a special experience that allows them to rediscover the charm of traditional fermented sauces.”

Meanwhile, detailed programs and the schedule for the 20th Sunchang Jangryu Festival will be announced in stages. The county plans to focus all its efforts over the remaining period to ensure a festival that will satisfy not only local residents but also tourists visiting from across the country.