Jinju City to Host Gaecheon Arts Festival from 7th to 14th at Jinju Fortress and Original Downtown

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] Jinju City, Gyeongnam Province, announced on the 4th that the 70th Gaechun Arts Festival, the origin of the local comprehensive arts festival, will be held from the 7th to the 14th at Jinju Fortress and the original downtown area.

Under the slogan "Let's Spread, Share, and Embrace," this year's Gaechun Arts Festival will begin with a memorial ceremony and opening ceremony at Chokseokru Pavilion in Jinju Fortress at 6 p.m. on the 7th and continue for eight days until the 14th.

The festival plans to proceed modestly but meaningfully through the Jinju Fortress Time Travel, original downtown art events, Jinju Fortress busking performances, the musical "Chokseoksanseong Aria," and the installation of the Namgang Riverside Harmo Photo Zone.

The Jinju Fortress Time Travel will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Gaechun Arts Festival by operating costume experiences and photo zones themed around the Joseon Dynasty and modern times at three locations within Jinju Fortress, featuring situational plays performed by professional actors.

The original downtown art events include installation art, poetry exhibitions, and art performances using three vacant stores in the original downtown area.

It is expected to contribute to revitalizing the old downtown by expanding opportunities for local artists to participate in the arts festival and exhibiting works and performances by regional artists.

The Jinju Fortress themed busking performances will be held once on weekdays and twice on weekends at three special stages within Jinju Fortress.

To overcome COVID-19, the festival aims to create a cultural and artistic space where local artists and citizens unite as one.

The musical "Chokseoksanseong Aria," a creative reinterpretation of the historical fact of General Kim Si-min's victory in the Battle of Jinju, will be performed at 6 p.m. on the 13th and 14th on a special stage in front of the Imjin Battle Gyesa Sunui Dan.

The Gaechun Arts Festival has been held every October simultaneously with the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival, but it was canceled last year due to COVID-19.

Jinju City canceled programs expected to attract large crowds, such as fireworks, traditional folk markets, food stalls, and all-night festivals, which had been popular among festival visitors, to ensure citizens' safety.

The Gaechun Arts Festival, the origin of local arts festivals in Korea, was first held in 1949 as the 1st Yeongnam Arts Festival to commemorate the first anniversary of the government's establishment as a de facto independent nation and to promote the development of arts and culture.

Except for cancellations due to the Korean War in 1950, the October 26 incident in 1979, and the COVID-19 outbreak last year, the festival has continued its legacy every year despite various difficulties.

Jinju Mayor Cho Gyu-il urged, "This year's festival will prioritize safety and operate mainly with exhibition and viewing programs, so citizens and visitors can enjoy the festival with peace of mind and are asked to strictly follow quarantine rules when visiting the festival site."

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