‘Namdo Gugak Festival’ Held in Yeosu from 23rd to 24th

Published 20 Jun.2022 14:36(KST)

Free Admission to Gugak Competition, Daedong Hanmadang, and Celebration Performances... Auxiliary Events Like Tteokmechigi Also Held

‘Namdo Gugak Festival’ Held in Yeosu from 23rd to 24th

[Yeosu=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Choi Cheol-hoon] The 43rd Namdo Gugak Festival will be held for two days on the 23rd and 24th at the Jeonnam Yeosu Jinnam Indoor Gymnasium.

Organized by the Jeollanam-do branch of the Korean Gugak Association, hosted by the Yeosu City branch, and supported by Jeollanam-do, Yeosu City, the Korea Federation of Arts and Culture Organizations, and the Jeonnam Federation of Arts and Culture Organizations, this Gugak Festival is free for everyone to attend.

The first session, starting at 9:30 a.m. on the 23rd, will feature passionate competitions in the categories of gosu (drummers), Namdo folk songs, pansori, and dance.

There will also be a congratulatory performance of the Jeollanam-do intangible cultural asset, Goheung’s “Madongmaegu,” which boasts a 500-year history and tradition.

The second session, held on the 24th, begins at 10 a.m.

Starting with an exciting samulnori congratulatory performance by the Ppuripaet Art Troupe, a variety of events will follow, including competitions in the nongak (farmers' music) category and a rice cake pounding side event.

Attendees can also enjoy the proud folk play of Yeosu, Hyeoncheon Sodongpae Nori, which won the Presidential Award at the National Folk Arts Competition.

Since its inception in 1979, the Namdo Gugak Festival has been Jeollanam-do’s representative gugak festival, with over 1,500 gugak performers participating annually.

Moreover, due to the cancellation of various gugak performances amid the COVID-19 pandemic, this 43rd Namdo Gugak Festival is expected to be a refreshing occasion for gugak enthusiasts.

A city official said, “We hope this Namdo Gugak Festival will be a joyful time where everyone can feel the essence of gugak while moving their shoulders to the lively rhythms.”