24th Jirisan Cheonwang Festival to Open in Hamyang's Macheon-myeon on Oct. 31, Run for Two Days

October 31-November 1 at Macheon-myeon Sports Park: Traditional rituals and cultural performances
12-step Jakdu-gut, gugak performances, and programs involving local residents
Free noodles for visitors from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the festival

The 24th Jirisan Cheonwang Festival, centered on Jirisan’s traditional culture and the participation of local residents, will open on October 31 in Macheon-myeon, Hamyang County, South Gyeongsang Province.

Hamyang County said the 24th Jirisan Cheonwang Festival will be held at Macheon-myeon Sports Park over two days, from October 31 to November 1.

The Jirisan Cheonwang Festival is a local celebration rooted in the tradition of honoring Seongmo Cheonwang, the mountain deity of Jirisan, also known as Grandmother Mago, and praying for peace in the area and the well-being of its residents.

[Photo courtesy of Hamyang County] A performance of the "12-Step Jakdu Gut," a key traditional ritual at the Jirisan Cheonwang Chukje held in Macheon-myeon, Hamyang-gun. This year's 24th Jirisan Cheonwang Chukje will take place over two days, from October 31 to November 1, at the Macheon-myeon Sports Park.

The festival began in 2000 to commemorate the spirits of those who died during the Korean War and promote harmony in the local community. It marks its 24th year this year.

This year’s festival will feature traditional rituals, cultural performances, and events involving residents under the themes “A Day with the Divine” on the first day and “A Day of Unity among People” on the second.

On the first day, October 31, events will begin at 9 a.m. with the “Welcoming of Grandmother Cheonwang” ritual, followed by a pungmul band performance, health exercises, line dancing, Nanta, and a Macheon quiz.

After the opening ceremony at 11 a.m., the program will continue with the “12-step Jakdu-gut,” a ritual passed down in the area, as well as a gugak performance and a neighborhood singing contest.

On November 1, a variety of cultural performances will take place, including a band performance by Macheon Middle School, a saxophone recital, a singing class, Go-go Janggu, a Sannae Bukchigo performance, Jo Myeong-hui’s Min Salpuri dance, a jazz performance, and a male quartet.

The festival’s closing program will include a prize drawing and a gourd-smashing event.

Hands-on activities for families will also be available at the festival site.

Key activities include tarot readings, kite flying, making the festival character Magomi, making walnut key chains, face painting, making keycaps, and pounding rice cakes.

Exhibitions will include a national park photography exhibition, a Macheon history photography exhibition, and displays of work from residents’ self-governing program classes.

Food stalls and mobile food vendors will also be set up, along with spaces selling local agricultural products and handicrafts, including kimchi, doenjang, and wild mountain greens.

This year, a community lunch event will offer free noodles to visitors on both days of the festival.

Free noodles will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on both October 31 and November 1. Residents of Macheon-myeon will prepare the noodles and serve them to visitors at the festival.

Park Jeong-yun, chair of the Jirisan Cheonwang Festival Committee, said, “We are preparing the festival to carry on local traditions and give residents and visitors a chance to take part together. We have also arranged a free noodle-sharing event to share the warmth of the community with visitors.”

Hamyang County Governor Jin Byeong-yeong said, “The Jirisan Cheonwang Festival is an event led by residents to carry on the area’s traditional culture. We will work to ensure the smooth operation of the event and manage safety so visitors can enjoy the various performances and activities.”

Meanwhile, Hamyang County and Macheon-myeon plan to manage traffic and implement safety measures at the festival site during the event.

The Jirisan Cheonwang Festival differs from a typical tourism event in that it is a celebration carried on by local residents and rooted in the area’s traditional beliefs and historical background.

This year, in addition to traditional rituals, performances by residents, and hands-on activities, the festival will feature two days of free noodle sharing, making it an event for residents and visitors to enjoy together.

For the festival to develop sustainably, however, it will be necessary to systematically manage visitor amenities, parking and traffic, and safety measures, alongside programs that explain the historical significance of the traditional rituals.

It will also be important to examine the actual impact of local agricultural and specialty product sales and links with nearby tourist attractions on the local economy.

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