The 38th Aragaya Cultural Festival: A Family-Friendly Autumn Celebration
- Original source
- blog.naver.com
Lee Hyun-joo, 15th Blog Reporter
I visited the 38th Aragaya Cultural Festival, a historical and cultural event representing autumn in Ham-an. This year, the festival took place from September 18 to 20 at the Ham-an Museum and the Malisan Tombs area. Set against the backdrop of the UNESCO World Heritage Malisan Tombs, the festival showcased the history and culture of Aragaya through performances, exhibitions, and various hands-on experiences.
On the last day of the festival, September 20, I went with my children. There were many hands-on programs that allowed us to experience the history and culture of Aragaya, making it a perfect day out for families. Shall we take a look at the festival together?
Overview of the 38th Aragaya Cultural Festival
Ham-an was the historical center of Aragaya, which played a crucial role in the Gaya Confederacy. To preserve its history and culture and honor the spirit of its ancestors, the first festival was held in 1983 under the name 'Aragaya Festival.' It was later renamed to 'Ham-an Aragaya Festival' and then to 'Aragaya Cultural Festival' in 2020, marking its 38th edition this year.
Main Programs of the 38th Aragaya Cultural Festival
The festival kicked off on Friday, September 18, with the Aragaya Cheonsinje, held in front of Tomb No. 4 at the Malisan Tombs, marking the official start of the celebrations. The following "Aragaya King Parade" involved local residents and students marching from Aragaya Elementary School to the Ham-an Museum.
The evening opening ceremony featured a VR drawing performance and a firework display themed around the Aragaya Lotus. The three-day festival was filled with diverse performances and experiences, including fringe performances, traditional games, and a youth orchestra.
Popular guest performers included Kim Soo-chan, Kim Ji-hyun, Choi Jung-won, Sonya, Lee Ah-reum-sol, and Jang Yoon-seok, enhancing the festive atmosphere.
A Family-Friendly Festival Experience
Since my children are still young, we visited on Sunday. The official website provided detailed event and parking information, and thanks to the parking attendants at the entrance, we had a smooth experience getting to the festival.
The main stage was located between the spacious yard in front of the Ham-an Museum and the parking lot. Walking towards the Malisan Tombs from the main stage, we passed through a traditional market where we could engage in cultural experiences, while the tomb garden hosted busking performances. Along the path to the Aragaya experience area, food stalls and paid experience spaces were conveniently set up, making it easy to enjoy the festival.
Fringe Performances
The fringe performance featured an hour-long show with balloons, magic, and bubbles. The children were captivated throughout the entire performance, which started with balloon art, where balloons shaped like arrows, puppies, and octopuses were given to the kids.
The sunny weather made it a perfect day for the bubble show, allowing both children and adults to enjoy the performance with childlike excitement!
Experience the Future of Intangible Heritage
We also enjoyed a performance by the Anseong City Nam-Sadang Baudeogi Folk Music Group. This type of performance is rare outside of large festivals, making it a meaningful experience. Let's take a moment to appreciate their performance, which reflects the festival's spirit of preserving Aragaya's history and culture.
Delicious Flavors of Aragaya
No festival is complete without food, and we visited the youth-run tavern, Cheongnyeon Hansang, to try their dishes. We ordered acorn jelly soup and handmade sausages, which were surprisingly rich in flavor without being overly stimulating. Notably, many vendors used reusable containers, showcasing Ham-an's commitment to reducing waste.
After enjoying the festival, we headed to the Ham-an Riding Park, which was just a 6-minute drive away. Normally, the riding experience costs 10,000 KRW, but during the Aragaya Cultural Festival, it was free! The children were excited as we entered the riding area.
Overall, the 38th Aragaya Cultural Festival was a wonderful experience for our family, demonstrating that history can be experienced firsthand rather than just observed. I look forward to next year's festival!
Source :https://blog.naver.com/arahaman/224419871983
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