A Feast of Eight Nights
An Autumn Festival Shaped by National Heritage and Intangible Culture
Mungyeong City in North Gyeongsang Province will host the 3rd "Mungyeong Saejae Dalhangari Night Tour" at the Mungyeong Saejae Provincial Park from September 26 to 27, 2025.
This year’s night tour, themed "Emotional Journey" and "Self-Awareness Journey," will weave together the history, nature, and intangible cultural heritage of Mungyeong, adorning the autumn nights.
In particular, the event will showcase Mungyeong’s cultural strength by featuring renowned masters of national intangible heritage such as Kim Jeongok (ceramic artist), Kim Samsik (hanji craftsman), and Lee Hyeonggeun (bronze ware artisan), as well as Gyeongbuk Province’s intangible heritage holders Kim Siin (embroidery), Kim Jongseop (Buddhist painting), the Mungyeong Mojeon Deulsori Preservation Society, and Mungyeong Saejae Arirang, among other local artists and organizations.
The festival will consist of over 30 programs under the eight themes of "Night Scenery" (historical night views of Saejae-gil), "Night Road" (moonlit parade of the Mungyeong magistrate), "Night Performance" (Mungyeong Saejae Bongsan Talchum mask dance), "Night History" (the story of Kim Bian, the last royal porcelain master of the Joseon Dynasty), "Night Painting" (special exhibition of Mungyeong hanji), "Night Market" (Mungyeong craft experience), "Night Food" (Mungyeong Saejae royal kitchen), and "Night Stay" (starlight camping), inviting visitors on a time-travel journey through tradition and art.
Kim Namhee, CEO of Baeksan Heritage, stated, "This night tour will remind us of the value of connection and communication along the old Mungyeong Saejae road and become a festival where everyone can freely enjoy cultural heritage."
Baek Seolmae, head of the Culture and Arts Department of Mungyeong City, said, "I hope visitors will experience the romance of autumn nights and the cultural depth of Mungyeong at this night tour, where natural heritage, historical sites, and intangible heritage come together through storytelling."
Mungyeong Saejae has long served as a gateway connecting Yeongnam and Hanyang, carrying countless stories along its path. The "Dalhangari Night Tour" is more than just a nighttime festival; it serves as a bridge that brings the meaning of the old road and the value of intangible heritage into the present. Under the moonlight, like the simple yet profound white moon jar, it will be interesting to see how our traditional culture resonates with modern sensibilities.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
