Busan is good

The 25th Gijang Gaetmaeul Festival

Period

2023-07-29 (Sat) ~ 2023-07-30 (Sun)

Contents

○ Period: July 29-30, 2023

○ Venue: Ilgwang Beach

The 25th Gijang Gaetmaeul (village) Festival will be held from July 29th (Sat) to 30th (Sun). The festival is a sea and culture festival and is held on Ilgwang Beach, which is the backdrop of the novel ‘Gaetmaeul’ by Oh Youngsoo. An experience event named ‘I am a fisherman’ will start at 3pm each day during the festival and is much-loved by visitors. This event is to experience ‘pulling a dragnet’, a way that was used to catch fish by using a net onto the beach in the old days. What makes it more fun is that participants can pick up fish caught in the net with their bare hands and also can take them home. At around 5pm, a ‘treasure hunt’ in the shallow water zone will start and if participants find the intentionally placed small pebbles, special prizes such as soap made from Gijang kelp will be given to the hunters.

Additionally, there will be an array of experience booths including a science class for children, tattooing, an art class with wood, beaded bracelet making and many more. On the first day, Seonghwangje, a ritual to wish for community cohesion and a successful festival, will be carried out at 6pm. As part of the ceremony, but before Seonghwangdang, the place the ritual is conducted, a nongak band, traditional Korean music performed by farmers, with haenyeo (female divers) will do a spectacular parade, and saxophone and singing performances will follow. On the second day, a singing contest attended by residents will be organized. And the festival will finally come to an end with a colorful fireworks display.

Source: https://www.gijang.go.kr/upload_data/board_data/kunbo/igg2307/gg329_e.pdf (Gijang County News)