Jinju City Begins Full-Scale Preparations for the 'Jinju Nongae Festival'

34 Organizing Committee Members Appointed
Ahn Seungkwon, President of Yeonam Institute of Technology, Named as Chairman

Jinju City in South Gyeongsang Province and the Jinju Culture and Tourism Foundation held the 25th Jinju Nongae Festival Organizing Committee meeting on January 21 at the Citizen Hall in Jinju City Hall, officially beginning preparations for the festival.

The Jinju Nongae Festival Organizing Committee consists of 34 members from various sectors of society who possess extensive knowledge and experience in relevant fields. The committee oversees all aspects of the festival, including supervising the event, approving the budget and settlement, and finalizing event plans.

Group photo of the 25th Jinju Nongae Festival Organizing Committee.

On this day, the committee presented letters of appointment to all 34 committee members, forming a new committee composed of citizens and experts from diverse backgrounds, including culture and the arts, related organizations and groups, and youth representatives. A general meeting was also held. During the meeting, it was decided that this year’s 25th Jinju Nongae Festival will take place over four days, from May 2 to May 5.

Additionally, Ahn Seungkwon, president of Yeonam Institute of Technology, was appointed as the chairman of the organizing committee for the 25th Jinju Nongae Festival. Chairman Ahn holds a Ph.D. in Electronic Engineering from Seoul National University and has served as CEO of LG Science Park, president of LG Electronics, chairman of the LG Group Technology Council, and a member of the Presidential National Science and Technology Advisory Council.

Chairman Ahn Seungkwon stated, “The Jinju Nongae Festival is a traditional arts festival rooted in Jinju’s unique Gyobang culture. Taking on the role of organizing committee chairman at a time of new change is a significant responsibility. I will do my utmost to ensure that we preserve the historical and traditional values while reinterpreting them in a modern context, so the festival can make a new leap forward.”

The 25th Jinju Nongae Festival is planning a range of main events, including the Heondarye tea ceremony, Shinsi Sunhaeng (procession of ancestral tablets), Iambyeolje ritual, and Jinju sword dance performances. The festival will also feature an opening Gyobang performance and modern performances based on Sottaejaengi traditions.

Furthermore, the festival will specialize traditional performing arts elements as festival content and install a “Gyobang Play Zone” and “Gyobang Studio.” In addition, the festival plans to enhance the immersive experience of existing content, such as music, song, dance, poetry, calligraphy, and painting, and expand the “Picnic Zone” to improve facilities for visitors.

Jinju Mayor Cho Gyuil requested, “Please pool your wisdom so that the 25th Jinju Nongae Festival, held this year, will lack nothing in terms of historical significance and the true enjoyment of the festival.”

Meanwhile, the Jinju Nongae Festival is a representative spring festival where visitors can witness, enjoy, and experience the loyalty and spirit of Jinju, as well as its unique Gyobang culture, commemorating Nongae and the 70,000 civilians and soldiers who died in the Battle of Jinju Fortress during the Imjin War. This year, the festival will open with the Iambyeolje ritual and run for four days, from May 2 to May 5, at Jinju Fortress and the Jinju Great Victory History Park.