A Unique Experience at the Haman Nakwha Nori Festival
Ok Nayul, 14th SNS Reporter
Celebrating its 32nd year, the Haman Nakwha Nori Festival is a long-standing traditional event that draws numerous visitors to Haman annually to witness its beauty. The spectacle of embers falling onto the river, scattering like starlight, never fails to inspire awe.
This year, in addition to the usual large-scale public event, a small-scale Nakwha Nori bus tour, co-organized by the Korea Tourism Organization and Haman County, offered a unique charm.
The bus tour, operated through pre-booked packages with various travel agencies, allowed for a more relaxed viewing experience due to limited participation. This made securing a good spot and enjoying the performance much more pleasant. The day trip itineraries, curated by each travel agency, included not only the Nakwha Nori but also visits to Haman's tourist attractions and restaurants.
The bus tour proved particularly popular among tourists from Taiwan and Japan. Nakwha Nori, showcasing the essence of Korean traditional fireworks culture, provides a very unique and emotionally resonant experience for international visitors.
After attaching your ticket to your wrist and passing through the entrance, you are led to the area where the Nakwha Nori takes place.
I recall a few years ago battling traffic and parking to see the Nakwha Nori, only to be unable to even get close to the venue due to the tens of thousands of people. Personally, I felt that the smaller scale was a better approach. The disappointment of not being able to properly see and enjoy the event amidst a massive crowd would have been much greater.
This year's event was smaller in scale (approximately 1,000 Nakwha torches) compared to the usual free public event (approximately 3,000 Nakwha torches). However, this allowed the audience to enjoy the sight of the falling embers up close and at their leisure.
The shimmering embers reflecting on the river, accompanied by the subtle rising smoke, resembled a traditional Oriental painting. With each sway of the lights in the breeze, the viewers' hearts calmed, and time seemed to slow down.
The embers, viewed with gentle music, were mesmerizing, and their intensity deepened as the surroundings darkened. The light created by each Nakwha torch sparkled like stars, scattering on the water, creating a picturesque scene.
Each booth was designed to offer hands-on experiences, allowing visitors to see, feel, and take away a piece of Haman, going beyond simple sales or promotion. Visitors could purchase or create merchandise on-site, preserving memories of the festival. Local organizations and small business owners participated, naturally conveying Haman's culture and emotions.
Personally, this year's Haman Nakwha Nori made me realize how important atmosphere is compared to scale.
It was a truly Korean festival, blending tradition and charm. The warm smiles of people amidst the sparkling lights, and each ember scattering on the river, created unforgettable scenes. It may not have been extravagant, but the sincerity was palpable – that is the charm of Haman Nakwha Nori.
The small-scale Nakwha Nori bus tour is expected to continue next year.
If you are interested, be sure to apply next year!
Source :https://blog.naver.com/arahaman/224054408842
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