Gangjin-gun to Kick Off the Celadon Festival with a Fanfare on the 22nd

Family Participation Programs Offered Until the 3rd of Next Month
Expansion of "Half-Price Travel for Everyone" and Various Performances Also Prepared

Gangjin County, Jeonnam (Governor Kang Jinwon) announced on the 4th that the 53rd ‘Gangjin Celadon Festival’ will be held from the 22nd of this month to the 3rd of next month at the Goryeo Celadon Kiln Site in Daegu-myeon.

The Gangjin Celadon Festival began in 1973. As a representative traditional festival themed around the long history of Goryeo celadon, it is the first festival held in Gangjin County, the number one destination for exploring the southern region.

This year’s festival is designed with simple yet engaging programs mainly for children so that the whole family can participate together. Highlights include Play Celadon Kids Land utilizing a digital museum, children’s brand musicals such as Bebefin and Bread Barber Shop, a Kids Zone packed with popular children’s character sculptures like Pinkfong and air bounce rides, as well as hands-on activities like making cotton candy with a bicycle.

Opening ceremony of the 52nd Gangjin Celadon Festival in February last year. Provided by Gangjin County

In addition, various celadon-related programs matching the festival’s theme have been expanded. Signature experiences include ▲pottery wheel forming ▲celadon shard mosaic ▲celadon coiling ▲celadon rubbing. New additions this year, not available last year, are ▲clay treading experience and ▲celadon excavation, offering an even more diverse range of hands-on activities.

A variety of performances are also prepared for the opening ceremony. On the first day, the 22nd, at 6 PM on the main stage, famous singers such as Jin Haeseong, winner of Trot National Sports Festival and third-place finisher in ‘Mr. Trot 2’; Park Changgeun, winner of ‘Tomorrow's National Singer’; rapper and TV personality Sleepy; Brown Tigger; Ha Donggeun; Moon Heeok; and Hwang Garam will grace the opening. On the following day, the 23rd at 11 AM, there will be performances by local cultural artists from Gangjin County.

Additionally, there will be many other hands-on events such as spring wild greens picking, Bulmyeong Camp, firewood chopping for the kiln, hanging wish lanterns, foot baths, and woodworking experiences. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of foods at food trucks and food booths throughout the festival grounds.

Since 2023, the festival period was changed from October to February, making the Gangjin Celadon Festival the first festival of the year in Jeonnam, marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring. The festival has successfully transformed its image into a spring welcoming event.

Especially, the ‘Gangjin Half-Price Travel for Everyone,’ which created a nationwide sensation last year, will be greatly expanded this year, doubling the joy. The maximum benefit per person has been increased from 50,000 won to 100,000 won, and the number of times one can receive support has increased from two to four per person. This aims to allow tourists to enjoy even more benefits in line with the growing trend of individual travel. Travelers can visit Gangjin multiple times and experience benefits at various local businesses and facilities.

The half-price travel program is very simple to apply for. Visitors can pre-register on the Gangjin Half-Price Travel website according to their festival or travel dates, and after their trip, submit receipts for expenditures within Gangjin County to request reimbursement. The reimbursement is provided as a mobile Gangjin Love Gift Certificate (Chak). Settlements are processed on the same day or within seven days after application, allowing tourists to quickly enjoy the benefits.

Governor Kang Jinwon said, “I hope many people will take interest in the Gangjin Celadon Festival, the representative festival of Gangjin County and the first festival of the year in Jeonnam.” He added, “I hope you do not miss this golden opportunity to enjoy the various forms of celadon that can only be experienced in Gangjin through the ‘Gangjin Half-Price Travel for Everyone’ program.”

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