Opening the Five Grand Palaces and Chasing Away Evil Spirits... Spring Royal Culture Festival Opens

Reinterpreting Byeoksasik to Inspire Hope for the People
Various Programs Operated to Commemorate the Opening of Cheongwadae

The 'Spring Royal Palace Culture Festival' will be held from the 10th to the 22nd of next month at Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, Gyeonghuigung Palaces, as well as Jongmyo Shrine and Sajikdan Altar. It is the largest cultural heritage festival in Korea, attracting 3.8 million visitors over the past seven years. The festival is organized by the Cultural Heritage Administration’s Royal Palaces and Tombs Division and the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation. This year’s theme is 'Narye (儺禮) and Yeonhui,' reinterpreting the exorcism rituals (?邪儀式) to bring hope to people weary from COVID-19. Narye is a traditional ritual performed on Lunar New Year's Eve in both royal palaces and common households to drive away ghosts, and exorcism rituals are ceremonies to repel evil spirits.

The opening ceremony will take place at the Hongryemun Plaza of Gyeongbokgung Palace with 550 attendees. The traditional ritual 'Guna (驅儺),' which drives away evil spirits, will be presented in a modern style to pray for a return to normal life. Key scenes from 'Yeolsangjinwon (洌上眞源)' and 'Sohyeon' will also be showcased. Yeolsangjinwon is a multimedia performance that uses media facade, 3D laser projection, and surround sound to depict the history of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Sohyeon is a palace musical centered on Prince Sohyeon, who dreamed of a new Joseon. Outside the palace, 'Gunaheng (驅儺行) - Heukho Napsio!' will reinterpret Narye. People wearing masks reenact the scene of driving away ghosts, reflecting on the value of coexistence.

The Royal Palaces and Tombs Division will also operate online programs such as 'Meeting the Palace Macro' and 'Stop the Epidemic Goblin!' The former showcases the interior and exterior of Seokjojeon Hall at Deoksugung Palace and the under-restoration Dondeokjeon Hall. The latter delivers fun and educational content through characters reflecting the era, including the Korean Empire’s Western-style military band. The 'Delivering the Royal Palace Culture Festival to Your Home' kit delivery service will resume. A Cultural Heritage Administration official explained, "We improved the portability of the Joseon board game 'New Ssangnyuk' and supplemented the English instruction manual."

This festival also includes programs commemorating the opening of the Gyeongbokgung rear garden (Cheongwadae). Celebrating the historic moment of the garden returning to the public, performances such as traditional tightrope walking, modern Korean music, and traditional music will be presented. Visitors can also enjoy various attractions while exploring the Cheongwadae grounds and Bukaksan Mountain. Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, and Gyeonghuigung Palaces will be open free of charge on the opening day. Some palaces, including Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, and Gyeongbokgung, will also operate at night. For detailed information and schedules, please refer to the Royal Palaces and Tombs Division, Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation, and the Royal Palace Culture Festival websites.

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