43rd Geumsan World Ginseng Festival to Open on the 19th

Opening Ceremony at Geumsan World Ginseng Expo Plaza at 7 p.m.

Promotional materials for the 43rd Geumsan World Ginseng Festival and scenes from last year's festival (Photo by Geumsan County)

The 43rd Geumsan World Ginseng Festival will open on September 19 under the theme "Children, I Love You."

On the morning of the same day at 10 a.m., Geumsan County will hold the Gae-Samje, a traditional ceremony marking the start of the festival, at Gaesamgak in Seonggok-ri, Nam-myeon.

Residents of the county and tourists are expected to attend the event. Park Beomin, Governor of Geumsan County, will serve as the chief officiant; Kim Kiyoon, Chairman of the Geumsan County Council, as the second officiant; and Kang Jeongheon, Director of the Geumsan Cultural Center, as the third officiant.

The ceremony will proceed in the following order: the procession of the officiants, the declaration of the festival's opening, the performance by the Seven Fairies, the main ritual (Gae-Samje), and a commemorative photo session, beginning with the enshrinement of the ginseng effigy of Kang Chosa.

The Gae-Samje is a ritual honoring the legend of Gaesamgak, which commemorates Kang Chosa's discovery of ginseng 1,500 years ago through a revelation from the mountain spirit of Jinaksan, leading to the first cultivation of ginseng.

Gaesamgak was established in 1983 to honor this legend and has since become the traditional venue that opens the Geumsan World Ginseng Festival each year.

In particular, the festival will feature a traditional attire experience for visitors, allowing them to try on ceremonial costumes and further enhancing the event's traditional significance.

The opening ceremony, in line with the theme "Children, I Love You," will be held at 7 p.m. at the Geumsan World Ginseng Expo Plaza as a community-centered event for local residents.

Approximately 130 members from three local groups-the Geumsan Philharmonic Orchestra, the Geumsan Children's Choir, and the Geumsan Ginseng Valley Choir, all part of the Geumsan Darakwon Arts Troupe-will present performances that showcase the unique character of Geumsan.

Additionally, a traditional opening performance designed to capture the attention of visitors will be staged, and after the official ceremony, a variety of celebratory performances spanning trot and popular music will be held, featuring Jin Haeseong, Kim Yeonja, HYNN (Park Hyewon), Ali, Kwak Younggwang, and Bin Jongnam.

Park Beomin, Governor of Geumsan County, stated, "In the past, the Geumsan World Ginseng Festival has been a place where children wished for their parents' health and happiness. This year, it will be an occasion for parents to pour their love into their children. I hope many people will take interest in this festival, which offers both fun and opportunities to promote good health."