520 College Students Unite Through Madangnori Festival

National University Madangnori Festival Closes on Largest Scale Ever

The National University Madangnori Festival, hosted by the Cultural Heritage Administration and organized by the National Heritage Promotion Agency, concluded at the National Intangible Heritage Center on August 15, 2026.

Performance by the Yesanmin Research Group at Seoul Arts University / National Heritage Foundation.

This is a competition in which college student clubs, rather than students majoring in Korean traditional music, compete in intangible heritage Madangnori categories such as Nongak (farmer’s music), mask dances, and folk plays. Continuing the tradition of university pungmulpae (traditional percussion music troupes) culture from the 1970s and 1980s, the festival has developed into a venue for exchanges of traditional arts among young people nationwide.

This year, more than 520 college students from across the country participated, an increase of about 100 people compared to last year. Since being held at the National Intangible Heritage Center in 2017, this marks the festival's largest scale to date. A total of eighteen teams—including twelve in Nongak and six in mask dance and folk play—showcased their skills, receiving an enthusiastic response from the audience.

The top honors, the Minister of Education Award and the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award, were awarded to the Ye-dae Folklore Research Society at Seoul Institute of the Arts and the Eolssigu team from University of Seoul, respectively. In addition, two teams received the Gold Award (Cultural Heritage Administration Award), two teams received the Silver Award (National Heritage Promotion Agency Award), four teams received the Bronze Award (National Heritage Promotion Agency Award), and one individual was honored with the Best Individual Award (Cultural Heritage Administration Award).

Performance scene at the University of Seoul / National Heritage Promotion Service.

Cho Jin-young, Director of the Intangible Heritage Promotion Headquarters at the National Heritage Promotion Agency, said, "It is meaningful that more and more university students are participating each year, demonstrating their passion and talent for traditional performing arts. We will strive to provide more diverse opportunities so that future generations can learn, enjoy, and naturally grow into the mainstays of intangible heritage succession."

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