'2024 National Heritage Media Art Jinju Fortress' Successfully Attracts 220,000 Visitors

Established as a Leading City for Night Tourism

Jinju City in Gyeongnam Province and the Jinju Cultural Tourism Foundation announced on the 26th that the '2024 National Heritage Media Art Jinju Fortress,' held over 24 days from August 2 to 25 in the Jinju Fortress area, concluded successfully with more than 220,000 citizens and tourists visiting, despite the longest heatwave and tropical nights on record.

Jointly hosted by Jinju City, the National Heritage Administration, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, and the National Heritage Promotion Agency, and organized by the Jinju Cultural Tourism Foundation, the '2024 National Heritage Media Art Jinju Fortress' was themed "Onsaemiro, Jinju Fortress Map." The event reinterpreted the history and transformation of Jinju Fortress through media art, expressing the unchanging values of Jinju's cultural heritage, such as the Jinju Bridge Bang culture, the Jinju Fortress Battle and the spirit of unwavering loyalty, as well as its future and hope, thereby greatly enhancing visitor satisfaction.

2024 National Heritage Media Art Jinju Fortress.

This event received praise for the participation of local cultural and artistic organizations such as the Jinju Sword Dance Preservation Society, the Jinju branch of the Korea Photographers Association, and the cultural arts group Onter, who collaborated to present the national cultural heritage of Jinju Fortress as a comprehensive art form combining art and digital technology. This approach made it easier for visitors to understand and enjoy the cultural heritage.

Despite the sweltering tropical nights of midsummer, the dazzling media art captivated family visitors. The massive media facade "Blooming Flowers with a Sword," which stretched 68 meters in length and 17 meters in height along the fortress wall from Chokseokmun Gate, utilized the natural environment and heritage scenery as its subject. Four 40,000 ANSI lumen projectors created a single ultra-high-definition projection mapping, showcasing an overwhelming scale and providing visitors with an unparalleled immersive experience.

In addition, a total of seven media art installations and landscape productions were featured, including the XR performance "Namgang, Embracing Righteousness" at Uiam Rock, "Jinju Yehon" at Chokseokru Pavilion, "Honoring the Hero" at the monument to General Kim Si-min, "Well Fairy Tale, Meeting the Light of Life" at the Jinju Fortress well, "Wishes Awakened by Sound and Light" at the Yeongnam Pojongsa, and "Wishes, Creating the Future Together" at Gongbukmun Gate. Various programs such as light pouch making and Chinese tea ceremony experiences introduced new values of cultural heritage and laid the foundation for Jinju to become a leading city for nighttime tourism.

An official from a nearby accommodation facility said, "This event not only increased the number of nighttime tourists but also attracted a significant number of young visitors, which led to more guests using our facilities and helped revitalize the local economy. I hope there will be more digital art events that young people can enjoy in the future."

Mayor Jo Gyu-il said, "Through the first-ever National Heritage Media Art Jinju Fortress, we have rediscovered the value of Jinju Fortress and local cultural heritage, and the increase in tourists staying for more than one night has contributed to revitalizing the old downtown, making it a model case for regional regeneration. I ask for your continued interest and participation in various upcoming cultural events such as the Jinju Namgang Lantern Festival, the Gaecheon Arts Festival, and the Korea Drama Festival, which will brilliantly light up the autumn nights in October."

Meanwhile, this event was also supported by the voluntary participation of local residents and university students, as well as related organizations such as Jinju Police Station, Jinju Fire Station, the National Model Drivers Association Jinju Branch, Jinju Special Forces Environmental Management Association, Jinju Hospice Association, Jinju Saemaeul Women's Association, Jinju Chamsarang Volunteer Association, and the Women's Informatization Leaders Council. Their collaboration ensured the safety and convenience of visitors and contributed to the successful execution of the media art event.

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