Special Program Celebrates 60th Anniversary of the Film "Gaetmaeul"
A Journey Back in Time Filled with Memories
Gijang County in Busan will host the 27th Gijang Gaetmaeul Festival for four days from July 31 to August 3 at the Ilgwang Beach area.
The Gijang Gaetmaeul Festival is a representative maritime culture festival held at the setting of writer Oh Yeong-su's short story "Gaetmaeul," which was also the filming location for director Kim Soo-yong's 1965 movie adaptation. This year, the festival will be held in conjunction with the Ilgwang Romantic Song Festival, offering an even richer array of sights and activities.
On the first day of the festival, July 31, the event will begin with a village ritual, followed by a parade, opening ceremony, a magic show by Choi Hyunwoo wishing for the success of the National (Disabled) Sports Festival, and a Korean traditional music concert themed around Gaetmaeul. From the second day, August 1, the Ilgwang Romantic Song Festival will take place, further heightening the festive atmosphere.
During the festival, various hands-on activities such as pulling a seine net, catching fish with bare hands, and searching for pebbles will be available, allowing tourists to directly experience the fishing village culture depicted in the novel "Gaetmaeul."
This year's festival also features a special history and culture program in collaboration with the Jeonggwan Museum, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the film "Gaetmaeul." The program is designed to recreate the lives of past fishing village residents for comparison with the present. The Jeonggwan Museum will run a "Gaetmaeul Family Theater" vacation education program to simultaneously enhance festival promotion and educational impact.
County Governor Jeong Jongbok stated, "This is a unique festival that utilizes the special content of Gaetmaeul," adding, "We will provide visitors with unforgettable memories through performances and experiences set against the backdrop of the sea."
Applications for festival programs are available on a first-come, first-served basis for 20 teams per day via the Jeonggwan Museum website or the Busan City integrated reservation system. For festival-related inquiries, please contact the Gijang Gaetmaeul Festival Organizing Committee.
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