‘The Holy Land of Uibyeong’ Uiryeong-gun “The Red Shout Ignites Again!”

Half-Century Uibyeong Festival → New Start for Honguijanggun Festival

Uiryeong-gun, Gyeongnam, known as the ‘Holy Land of Uibyeong (Righteous Army)’, will hold the ‘Uiryeong Honguijanggun Festival’ from the 20th to the 23rd at the Seodong Living Park area in Uiryeong.

The national commemorative day of ‘Uibyeong Day’ (June 1) was established through 50 years of efforts by the residents of Uiryeong-gun.

Uibyeong 'Honguijanggun Festival' Photo by Uiryeong-gun

Especially starting this year, the Uibyeong Festival, which has been held for nearly half a century, will be reborn with a new name, the ‘Uiryeong Honguijanggun Festival’.

Uiryeong is where General Gwak Jae-woo of Mangudang first raised the Uibyeong during the Imjin War, serving as the ‘fuse’ that spread Uibyeong activities like wildfire across the nation.

The county aims to use this first Honguijanggun Festival as a turning point to regard the ‘Uibyeong’ not just as a historical legacy but as a spirit needed in our current era, spreading the ‘value of Uibyeong’.

Going beyond the traditional ‘memorial’ aspect of the Uibyeong Festival, it reflects on ‘Why Uibyeong again in this era?’ and intends to use the ‘Uibyeong spirit’ as a catalyst for unity and development.

During the festival, the county will exalt the ‘Uibyeong spirit’ as the ultimate expression of justice achieved through the unity of common people, making Uibyeong a focal point for integration and harmony. It aims to rekindle the spirit of sacrifice that stood firm in the face of crisis and the high ideals of ‘justice and community’ upheld by the Uibyeong.

Hongui General Festival
[Image provided by Uiryeong-gun]

The theme of the festival is ‘The Red Shout Rekindled’. The county is planning a long-term ‘Uibyeong Expo’ to promote the Uibyeong spirit worldwide. The ‘National Uibyeong Theme Pavilion’, where Uibyeong from different eras and regions nationwide gather in one place during the festival, serves as a preview of the Uiryeong Expo.

True to the festival slogan, ‘We are all Uibyeong, all Honguijanggun gathered together’, anyone who comes to Uiryeong during the Honguijanggun Festival becomes a Uibyeong.

The festival will open with a Uibyeong Departure Parade and a torchlight march that lights up the world.

During the festival, there will be a ‘Uibyeong History Concert’ by historian Shim Yong-hwan, known as the ‘Rising Teacher of the History World’, and a ‘Painters Drawing Show’ that presents the symbols of Honguijanggun and Uibyeong through live drawing and media art.

A creative thematic performance reexamining the lives and struggles of General Gwak Jae-woo, the 17 generals, and the nameless Uibyeong will be held, along with a ‘Drone Multi-Show’ that expresses ‘The Day of Victory, the Shout of Uibyeong Victory’ in vivid colors in the night sky.

There will be a ‘Sound of Drums’ performance that awakens the patriotic spirit, reminiscent of April 22, 1592, when the first Uibyeong was created by hanging a large drum on a zelkova tree and beating it.

The ‘Uiryeong Geunjul’, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and listed in the Guinness World Records, will be pulled again after six years. This is the longest and thickest rope made of rice straw in the world, with over two thousand people competing in a tug-of-war. The Geunjul tug-of-war has a history of over 200 years.

Various experiential programs to nurture the courage of ‘future Uibyeong’ children are also prepared. Throughout the festival, a ‘Uibyeong Training Center’ will be set up where children can experience Uibyeong activities in a three-dimensional way. Booths for experiencing global Uibyeong culture will be operated, and there will be Uibyeong horseback riding and bare-handed fish catching events. Additionally, a ‘Children’s Honguijanggun Selection Contest’ will be held.

During the Honguijanggun Festival, events such as the ▲Uiryeong Saturday Watermelon Festival ▲Lee Hoseop Song Festival ▲Folk Ox Wrestling Competition ▲National Archery Competition ▲National Uibyeong Marathon ▲and Citizen Harmony Concert will be held.

County Governor Oh Tae-wan emphasized, “Uiryeong-gun, a small local government, independently promoted and achieved the establishment of ‘Uibyeong Day’ after half a century of effort.” He added, “It is Uiryeong-gun that brought countless unnamed heroes to the world. The beginning and end of the Uibyeong spirit is definitely our pride.”

He continued, “One of the most necessary studies in today’s era is learning the Uibyeong spirit,” and added, “This Honguijanggun Festival will provide a new opportunity for the county as a focal point of harmony and integration.”

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