The Legend on the Rope Captivates the World... Anseong Baudeogi Festival Opens in October

Anseong City to Host Festival at Anseong Matchum Land and Anseongcheon, October 2-5

Rising to a Global Cultural Festival with Namsadang Nori as Its Signature

"The First Idol of Joseon," Baudeogi, Steps Onto the World Stage After 170 Years

Real-Time Broadcasts and Multilingual Interpretation Ready to Welcome International Visitors

The passion and spirit of Baudeogi, the genius female artist who led the Namsadang troupe in the late Joseon period, will meet the world.

Anseong City (Mayor Kim Bora) will hold the '2026 Anseong Matchum Namsadang Baudeogi Festival' for four days from October 2 to 5 at Anseong Matchum Land and the Anseongcheon area. Provided by Anseong City

On September 15, Anseong City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Bora) announced that it will hold the "2026 Anseong Matchum Namsadang Baudeogi Festival" for four days from October 2 to 5 at Anseong Matchum Land and the Anseongcheon area. Ahead of the main festival, a memorial ceremony and an eve celebration honoring Baudeogi will be held on October 1.

Baudeogi was a representative artist of the late Joseon period who joined the Namsadang troupe at the age of five and, by unanimous consent of its members, became the leader or "Kkokdusoe" at fifteen. She is recognized as the only woman to have become the head of this male-dominated group of traveling performers.

Renowned for her tightrope walking, sogo dance, and singing, Baudeogi received an Okgwan medal, an honorary rank equivalent to a third-class official, from Heungseon Daewongun, gaining recognition as the foremost artist of her time. Her story, which transcended the boundaries of class and gender, continues as a representative cultural festival of Anseong more than 170 years later.

This year's festival aims to elevate the brand of Baudeogi alongside Namsadang Nori—a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage—into a world-class cultural event.

Anseong City will introduce new content such as the "Baudeogi Theme Park," where visitors can directly experience Namsadang Nori, as well as the "Baudeogi Signature Show," an evening performance free of language barriers, and the "World Cultural Heritage Masterclass," featuring international folk groups (CIOFF) from overseas.

There will also be a "Global Studio" for live, real-time festival broadcasts and a multilingual interpretation service called "Global Guide." Embassies from various countries will be officially invited, with plans to expand the festival's function as a venue for international cultural exchange.

Programs that were well received last year will return for visitors. The "Anseong Culture Market Festa," held in a marketplace recreated in a traditional thatched-roof style, will feature crafts from master artisans across the country. The "Barbecue Zone," where visitors can directly grill Anseong beef, pork, duck, and more, will also be available.

Various other vibrant programs, including the Double Tightrope Walking performance, the Traditional Performing Arts Festival, and "The Next Baudeogi" talent search for the next generation of performers, will further energize the festival.

Anseong City (Mayor Kim Bora) will hold the '2026 Anseong Matchum Namsadang Baudeogi Festival' for four days from October 2 to 5 at Anseong Matchum Land and along the Anseongcheon Stream. Provided by Anseong City

A representative of the Anseong Matchum Namsadang Baudeogi Festival said, "This year marks a turning point as we expand the 26-year tradition of the Baudeogi Festival onto the global stage," adding, "We will broaden citizen participation—including local farmers and cultural artists—and build a foundation for a sustainable festival that both domestic and international visitors can enjoy together."

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