Naju City Hosts Millennium Naju Mok Eupseong Cultural Festival After 3 Years

Published 23 Jun.2022 13:09(KST)

[Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Naju City, Jeollanam-do, announced on the 23rd that it will hold the "2nd Millennium Naju Mok Eupseong Cultural Festival" from the 1st to the 3rd of next month at the Geumseonggwan area.

The Millennium Naju Mok Eupseong Cultural Festival is an event created by citizens in 2019 to reexamine the thousand-year history and cultural value of Naju Mok, which held a prominent status as the capital of Honam during the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties.

This year's festival, held for the first time in three years since being suspended due to COVID-19, will showcase a variety of attractions including historical reenactment performances, competitions, traditional and celebratory performances, as well as food and experience programs such as flea markets under the theme "Naju Embracing History and Culture."

The opening ceremony on the 1st will mark the start of the festival with a parade of about 50 members including pungmul performers, flag bearers, water gate guards, and the Naju Moksa at Seoseongmun of Naju Eupseong.

Performances such as "Beating the Drum at Jeongsuru," which recalls the benevolent spirit of the former Naju Moksa, the folk ritual "Exorcism Performance" to ward off misfortune, and the "Naju City Art Troupe Opening Celebration" will also be held.

During the festival, the "Naju Mok Water Gate Guard Changing Ceremony" and "Jeongsuru Defense Guard Experience" will take place in front of Geumseonggwan, a writing contest recreating the Joseon Dynasty civil service examination will be held at Naju Hyanggyo, and "Naju Eupseong Urban Camping" will be held in the quiet hanok street.

Competition programs that add excitement to the festival, such as the "Family Singing Contest" and "Naju Office Workers' Song Festival," can be participated in through prior reservation.

Applications for the Family Singing Contest can be made at Naju Jeongmiso, and inquiries for the Office Workers' Song Festival can be directed to the Naju branch of the Korea Federation of Entertainment Artists.

In addition, a flea market mainly featuring handmade products and various food booths will be operated in the Naju Moksa Naea and Naju Mok Cultural Center areas.

Especially on the last day of the festival, free food distribution will be provided to visitors aged 80 and above.

Kim Junjeong, the chairman of the Millennium Naju Mok Eupseong Cultural Festival Promotion Committee, said, "We hope this festival will comfort the weary minds and bodies of citizens and tourists who have been suppressed due to COVID-19 and revitalize the local alleyway economy."

He added, "We will do our best to prepare the festival so that the whole nation can fully enjoy the true charm of Naju, the center of Jeollado for a thousand years."