Mayor Won Kangsoo: "Reestablishing Wonju's Status as the Root of Agriculture... Realizing a 100-Year Future for Farming"

Wonju to Host 30th Anniversary of Agricultural Day at Its Birthplace
"Samto Festival" Strengthens the Roots of Korean Agriculture Nationwide
Prime Minister and Key Officials to Attend... Awards Presented to Honorees

On November 11, the 30th National Agricultural Day Ceremony will be held in Wonju, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, the birthplace of Agricultural Day. This event holds special significance as it marks the first time in 30 years since Agricultural Day was designated a national commemorative day in 1996 that the ceremony will be held at its place of origin.

Schedule of Major Events for the 30th National Farmers' Day Ceremony. Provided by Wonju City

According to Wonju City on November 10, key figures such as the Prime Minister, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Governor of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, and the Mayor of Wonju will attend the ceremony to express their gratitude for the hard work of farmers. The event will begin with a pre-ceremony performance by the Gangwon Provincial Korean Traditional Orchestra, followed by the screening of a 30th anniversary commemorative video and opening declarations by three representatives of farmers' organizations.

After congratulatory remarks by the Prime Minister, a welcoming address by the Mayor of Wonju, and the reading of a resolution by four representatives of farmers' organizations, the Prime Minister will present awards to eight honorees. From Wonju, Mr. Won Yeonho from Socho-myeon will receive the Presidential Commendation.

The second part of the celebration will feature a performance by singer Lee Chanwon, a sharing event for cauldron-cooked bibimbap made with rice from all provinces, and an 1,111-meter-long rice cake relay.

Wonju City has also prepared a variety of programs for the Samto Festival, which is being held in conjunction with this national commemorative event, offering a rich array of attractions and activities for visitors from across the country.

In particular, as a rural cultural tourism festival, there are abundant family-friendly hands-on activities prepared by farmers themselves, including making egg bundles, carrying a traditional A-frame, crafting sotdae (totem poles), playing ttakji (paper slap game), jegichagi (Korean shuttlecock game), attaching wish papers to the sheaf tunnel, and pounding rice cake.

Earlier, on November 8, the 62nd Wonju Farmers’ Day Commemorative Ceremony was held. The "Proud Farmer of the Year" award was presented to Kim Younggil from Heungup-myeon and Lee Jeomsuk from Hojeo-myeon, and a total of 27 people were honored across nine categories. The second part of the event featured celebratory performances by Guckkasten and Yoo Taepyeongyang, as well as a fireworks display that heightened the excitement.

The Samto Singing Contest, held on November 9, saw a significant increase in prize money, attracting many residents of the province. Guest singers Kim Beomryong, Park Gun, and Na Taejoo received enthusiastic responses for their performances.

On November 11, the Samto Ritual, expressing gratitude for the soil, will be held at the Agricultural Day Commemoration Monument in Dangwan Park. The ritual will proceed in the order of the Mayor of Wonju as the chief officiant, the Chairman of the Wonju City Council as the second officiant, and the President of the Wonju Farmers’ Organizations Federation as the final officiant.

Exhibition events include the Samto Theme Hall, which highlights the history of the National Agricultural Day Ceremony and the meaning of Samto, as well as the Agricultural Specialty Products Promotion Hall, where all 18 cities and counties in the province will promote excellent Gangwon agricultural specialties and display agricultural machinery.

Additionally, works by farmers such as bonsai, chrysanthemums, and natural dyeing are attracting the attention of visitors.

The National Youth Folk Song Contest featured 12 participants competing passionately, while the National Korean Agricultural Products Cooking Contest saw 10 teams present fusion dishes based on Korean cuisine, such as vegan cabbage bossam and cabbage steak.

Other participatory programs included operating a millstone, collecting seeds of love, an arm wrestling contest, a scarecrow competition, lifestyle club competitions, and a children's drawing contest.

In the communal dining area, a variety of food booths are available, including charcoal-grilled Chiaksan Korean beef, local specialties, multicultural cuisine, farm cafes, and youth food stalls. In particular, the main stage has been transformed into a fringe stage, creating a theater-style restaurant where visitors can enjoy performances and meals together, offering a "see, eat, and enjoy" farm party atmosphere.

A special zone for the direct sale of agricultural specialty products and a thrifty auction, both operated by farmers, provide visitors with high-quality agricultural products at reasonable prices and offer farmers opportunities to expand their sales channels.

Won Kangsoo, Mayor of Wonju, stated, "I hope this event will serve as an opportunity to reestablish Wonju's status as the birthplace of Agricultural Day and inspire pride among local farmers," adding, "Wonju City will continue to provide ongoing support and attention so that it can move forward as the foundation of agriculture for the next 100 years."

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