Hwaseong Special City Successfully Concludes '2026 Lotus Lantern Music Festival'... The Light of Unity Shines at Yongjusa Temple

Hwaseong Lotus Lantern Music Festival Concludes Amid Enthusiastic Support
Harmony of Traditional Culture and Modern Music
A Platform for Citizen Unity and Cultural Exchange

Hwaseong Special City, Gyeonggi Province, announced on May 17 that the "2026 Hwaseong Special City Lotus Lantern Music Festival," held within the Yongjusa Temple grounds on May 16, concluded successfully amid enthusiastic support from citizens and tourists.

Citizens visiting the 2026 Hwaseong Special City Yeondeung Music Festival are sitting in the seats set up within the Yongjusa Temple grounds, enjoying a music performance. Provided by Hwaseong City

Organized and hosted by the Hwaseong Buddhist Temple Association and sponsored by Hwaseong Special City, this festival was designed to create a space for cultural exchange and unity among citizens by using the traditional Korean practice of the "lotus lantern" as a medium.

The event began at 11 a.m. with the opening of 15 experience and promotional booths. On-site, a variety of educational and entertaining programs were offered, such as ▲making lotus flowers and keyrings ▲experiencing filial piety through the Sutra of Parental Kindness ▲practicing carbon neutrality by using pulp flowerpots ▲a smoking cessation clinic and infectious disease prevention quiz. These diverse activities received an enthusiastic response, especially from family visitors.

The first part of the festival, which started at 3 p.m., featured passionate performances by local cultural and artistic groups, including ▲Hwaseong Buddhist dance ▲Samulnori and Jindo drum performances ▲choir and Nanta percussion shows, further elevating the excitement of the festival.

The second part, the Lotus Lantern Music Concert, which began at 7 p.m., featured performances such as ▲a large drum performance ▲a united choir ▲the band Electric Eel ▲Rumble Fish ▲So Chan-whee ▲and the band No Brain, creating a stage of harmony enjoyed by all generations.

This festival was highly praised for offering citizens a high-quality cultural experience by harmoniously blending modern performances with the tranquil atmosphere of a traditional temple. Visitors enjoyed music and culture under the warm light of the lotus lanterns, creating memorable moments on a spring night.

The event was attended by key dignitaries, including Lee Sanggil, Acting Deputy Mayor of Hwaseong Special City (Second Deputy Mayor), Pae Jeongsu, Chairperson of the Hwaseong Special City Council, members of the National Assembly, and provincial and city councilors, further elevating the significance of the occasion.

Members of the choir present an emotional stage with beautiful harmonies to the citizens visiting the 2026 Hwaseong Special City Lantern Music Festival. Photo by Hwaseong City

Lee Sanggil, Acting Deputy Mayor (Second Deputy Mayor) of Hwaseong Special City, stated, "I hope the bright lights of the lotus lanterns will warm the hearts of our citizens and that the energy of unity will spread throughout the city. We will continue to do our best to preserve and develop our precious local traditions and to provide citizens with broad opportunities to enjoy culture."

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