Naju-si to Host 'Cultural Heritage Night Tour' Festival Starting from the 17th of Next Month

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Han-hyuk Lee] Naju City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Kang In-gyu) announced on the 18th that it will hold the ‘Naju Cultural Heritage Night Festival’ from the 17th to the 19th of next month in the Naju Old Downtown Eupseong area.

However, the festival schedule will be flexibly adjusted according to the recent trends in COVID-19 response, which is resurging mainly in the metropolitan area.

This festival was planned as a unique nighttime cultural enjoyment program led by residents utilizing the cultural assets of the Naju Eupseong area, thanks to being selected last year in the ‘Cultural Heritage Night Festival’ contest organized by the Cultural Heritage Administration.

The festival is hosted by Naju City and the Cultural Heritage Administration, organized by the Naju Eupseong Area Urban Regeneration Residents’ Council, and supported by the Naju Office of Education, Dongshin University, and aT Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation.

Under the theme of ‘A Bright Moonlit Night, a Gentle Journey of Eight Travels,’ cultural heritage sites within the Eupseong area, including Geumseonggwan, will be open at night to present eight themed festival programs.

The eight themes are ▲ Night View (夜景, cultural heritage illuminated at night) ▲ Night History (夜史, historical stories heard at night) ▲ Night Talk (夜說, performance stories) ▲ Night Market (夜市, stories of trading tribute goods) ▲ Night Road (夜路, streets walked at night) ▲ Night Painting (夜畵, paintings viewed at night) ▲ Night Food (夜食, stories of food) ▲ Night Stay (夜宿, spending a night at cultural heritage sites). The festival will feature a variety of events including performances, exhibitions, experiences, lodging, food, and travel.

On the first day of the festival, a reenactment of ‘Manggwolrye’ (望闕禮), a ritual once performed to pray for the well-being of citizens by offering sacrifices to the king at a distant palace, will take place.

A natural dye fashion show and a performance by the Naju Municipal Gugak Orchestra will also enliven the opening of the festival.

Additionally, night openings of cultural heritage sites such as Geumseonggwan (National Treasure No. 2037), Naju Hyanggyo (Jeollanam-do Tangible Cultural Property No. 128), Jeongsuru, and Naju Moksa Naea will be held for three days, along with cultural heritage night street tours including ‘Stamp Rally’ and ‘Stone Wall Road Walking.’

Various attractions and delicious local foods will be offered through street patrol and medical performances reenacting Joseon Dynasty policemen and female doctors, taverns and marketplace streets, and the operation of a Naju local traditional food experience center.

The lodging experience at the Eupseong area Hanok Village and Naju Moksa Naea is expected to offer tourists visiting the historic cultural city of Naju a unique overnight stay.

Night lighting and photo zones have been installed along the winding alleys and stone wall paths of old houses, each with its own story, to allow visitors to enjoy a tranquil nighttime walk.

Mayor Kang In-gyu said, “This festival will be a meaningful opportunity to satisfy citizens’ cultural enjoyment needs amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and to showcase the unique charm of Naju, a historic cultural city representing Jeolla Province, to tourists. Especially, I hope this festival will provide comfort and vitality to the residents who suffered great damage from recent floods and revitalize the local economy of the old downtown area.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.