Jinju City, First Nationwide Presentation of Regional Gyobang Dance in One Place

11 Teams Including Seungjeonmu and Cheoyongmu Perform

'1st National Principals' Cultural Festival' a Great Success

Jinju City in Gyeongnam announced on the 8th that it successfully concluded the ‘1st National Gyojang Culture Grand Festival’ held at the special stage of Jinju Fortress.

The Gyojang Culture Grand Festival, the first of its kind nationwide, featured 11 principal art groups from across the country, with over 100 participants presenting a rich stage with colorful costumes and elegant dance moves.

Photos of the 1st National Principals' Cultural Festival at the special stage of Jinju Fortress, Jinju City.

On this day, high-quality regional Gyobang dances were introduced, including the national intangible cultural heritages ‘Jinju Geommu’, ‘Seungjeonmu’, ‘Cheoyongmu’, and ‘Taepyeongmu’; city and provincial intangible heritages such as ‘Gyeonggi Geommu’, ‘Salpuri Dance’, ‘Dongnae Hak Dance’, ‘Honam Sanjo Dance’; the intangible heritage of the Five Northern Provinces ‘Pyongyang Geommu’; Daegu’s traditional dance ‘Dalgubeol Ipchum’; and the National Gugak Center’s ‘Royal Court Geommu’. Especially, with the active participation of intangible heritage holders and artisans, high-level Gyobang dances reflecting the traditions and characteristics of each region were showcased.

The National Gyojang Culture Grand Festival was promoted following a proposal to hold an event to revitalize Gyojang culture during a meeting with local artists when Yoo In-chon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, visited Jinju in November last year.

Held from the 3rd to the 6th during the 23rd Jinju Nongae Festival, the event added charm and excitement of Gyojang culture to the festival. Citizens and tourists visiting the festival enjoyed various Gyobang dances, which are usually difficult to experience, fully immersing themselves in the allure of Gyojang culture.

Mayor Jo Gyu-il said, “Jinju has historically developed a distinct Gyojang culture different from other regions,” and added, “We will continue activities to promote and preserve the unique cultural heritage of Gyojang culture, using this first-ever nationwide grand festival as a milestone.”

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