Wangin cultural festival

Wangin cultural festival
In the century of culture we invite you to the 'Yeongam Wangin Cultural Festival.' It was named the 'Best Cultural and Tourism Festival in Korea for Year 2008.
Yeongam, the sacred land is surrounded by the beautiful Mt. Wolchul National Park and the Yeongsan River, the main water supply of Honam. As it is an historical site which has served as a key trading center between Korea, China and Japan from ancient times to Goryeo Dynasty, it produced many distinguished persons such as Dr. Wangin and Doseonguksa.

In particular, 1,600 years ago during the Baekje period, Dr. Wangin was invited by Emperor Ojin of Japan. He took the Cheonjamun, the Analects of Confucius, potters, blacksmiths, and weavers to Japan. He was a great pathfinder who, as originator of Japanese scholarship, helped the Asuka Culture flourish.

To illuminate the accomplishments of Dr. Wangin who realized the ideal of an open world and pay tribute to his sublime aspiration, the descendents of Dr. Wangin gather together at the historic site of Dr. Wangin in the most beautiful national park in the southern part of Korea, Mt. Wolchul in April when the best 40km of cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Starting with the Dr. Wangin Grand Chunghyang Festival, a variety of programs rich in local color are offered for local and foreign tourists while the cherry blossoms float in the spring breezes. The main features are the opening parade to 'welcome Wangin,' the opening ceremony of the 'Light of Wangin, Road of Culture,' the Korea-Japan Win-Win project 'Wangin Cheonjamun Teok (rice cake),' the unveiling of the symbolic sculpture 'Cheonin Cheonjamun,' the Gurim village traditional culture experience zone, the Yeongam ceramic culture exhibition, the 'Gichandeul' shopping mall (publicizing and selling excellent agricultural and special products of Yeongam), D r. Wangin's visit-to-Japan experience 'Sangdaepo raft riding,' Dopoje tug-of-war, the Jeongdongjeongho Festival, traditional folk plays including Jangbujil songs, and Mt. Yeoseok Ssangpae Nongak, the Baekje costume studio, Challenge! 250 stairs, the Student Wangin Contest, and the exquisite local food festival.