Four-Day Festival at Jinju Fortress... Nongae Festival Kicks Off in May

The 25th Jinju Nongae Festival, one of Gyeongnam's representative spring festivals, will be held for four days from May 2 to May 5, 2026, at Jinju Fortress and the Jinju Great Victory History Park.

The Jinju Nongae Festival is a historical and cultural event that commemorates Nongae, who sacrificed her life at Jinju Fortress during the Japanese invasions of Korea, along with the loyalty of 70,000 civilian and military personnel. It also offers an opportunity to experience Jinju’s unique gyobang culture. This year, under the theme "Gyobang, Connecting Youth," the festival expands traditional gyobang culture into hands-on content focused on "learning, play, and participation," making it enjoyable for all generations.

[Photo by Jinju City] Jinju Nonggae Festival New Statue Parade Photo

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◆ A Hands-On Festival for All Generations

This year’s festival is characterized by enhanced participation opportunities for children and families. At the "Gyobang Play Zone," visitors can directly experience the music, singing, and dance elements of gyobang culture, including gayageum performances, traditional vocals, and the Jinju Sword Dance, while also engaging in traditional costume experiences to boost immersion.

Additionally, the "Gyobang Culture Play Market" program presents the six disciplines of gyobang culture (music, singing, dance, poetry, calligraphy, painting) as mission-based activities, allowing families to enjoy them together.

◆ Debut of AI-Based Interactive Content

This year, the festival introduces a new AI-powered hands-on program. Visitors can create their own "Gyobang Song" by having artificial intelligence turn their self-written poems into music, which is then sent to them by email.

Furthermore, through the "Gyobang Type Test," participants can analyze their personal tendencies, and there are also opportunities to create and print AI-generated gyobang-themed character photos. These programs allow participants to produce content themselves and receive their finished results, making for an engaging, interactive experience.

◆ Interactive Performances & a Variety of Attractions

In the "Jinju Sword Dance Flash Mob," set to K-POP music, more than 110 citizens and tourists from all generations will participate, adding excitement to the festival.

[Photo by Jinju City] Jinju Nonggae Festival Uiam Byeolje Photos

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Other diverse programs include a circus performance, a flea market at Jinju Fortress, Namgang River kayaking, and more. There will also be performances that blend tradition and modernity, such as the National Gyobang Culture Grand Festival, the live-action historical musical "Righteous Nongae," and the gyobang theatrical performance "Gyobangdyeon."

An Seungkwon, the festival committee chairman, stated, "We have prepared this festival to strengthen hands-on content based on gyobang culture so that all generations can enjoy it together. With Family Month upon us, we hope that many citizens and tourists experience the unique cultural value of Jinju."

For more information about the 25th Jinju Nongae Festival, please contact the Tourism Festival Team at the Jinju Cultural Tourism Foundation.

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