Buddhist Flower Dropping Preservation Society to Illuminate Sejong Nights with the Splendor of Nakhwa

Photo by Buddhist Flower Falling Preservation Society

The "2025 Nakhwa Festival," which wards off misfortune and prays for blessings while watching the beautifully blazing nakhwa (falling fire), will be held for two days starting on the 17th. The nakhwa method is said to have originated from the Gwanhwa (fire viewing) event during the Lotus Lantern Festival of the Goryeo Dynasty, and its original form has been preserved through the Joseon Dynasty to the present day.

According to the Buddhist Flower Dropping Preservation Society on the 15th, the Yeongpyeongsa Nakhwa Festival is an event that continues the tradition of the nakhwa method. Unlike typical festival-style nakhwa performances, it is conducted in a unique manner that combines ritual significance and tradition with elements of a modern festival.

The Buddhist Flower Dropping Preservation Society is the designated holder of the "Sejong Buddhist Nakhwa Method," which was recognized as an intangible heritage of Sejong City in February 2024. It is the only group in the country fully capable of preserving and performing the Buddhist nakhwa method. This year, to ensure a safe viewing environment and the sustainability of the event, the number of attendees will be limited to 4,000 per day, and admission has been converted to a paid system (20,000 won).

Previously, on the 15th, all tickets for the event were sold out within 20 minutes of the start of advance reservations, demonstrating the high level of interest in the festival. The Buddhist Flower Dropping Preservation Society plans to further enhance the quality of the festival, continue the tradition, and consistently present visitors with the unique nakhwa (falling fire) experience through the transition to paid admission.

On the first day of the event, the 17th, the Budi Ensemble will present a world music performance in a classical style, allowing visitors to quietly experience the burning nakhwa (falling fire) and the tranquil night of Sejong through music. On the second day, the 18th, the Korean Traditional Orchestra Deobureo Sup will offer a special stage blending tradition and contemporary art, themed around world music performed with traditional Korean instruments.

As the Sejong Buddhist Nakhwa Method is the only case of its kind performed at a temple in Korea, the city plans to actively support its preservation and transmission, while also establishing it as a representative cultural event of the region.

Ven. Hwansung, chairman of the Buddhist Flower Dropping Preservation Society, stated, "The Yeongpyeongsa Nakhwa Festival is more than just a spectacle; it is a meaningful event that embodies the ancient ritual traditions of Korean Buddhism while preserving its beauty. I hope visitors will find peace and happiness in their hearts through the beauty of nakhwa."

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