▲ This poster for the "2026 World Heritage Festival on Gaya Tumuli," an event promoting the World Heritage-listed Gaya Tumuli scattered across three provinces in southeastern and southwestern South Korea, is provided by the organizer. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, Aug. 28 (Yonhap) -- The "2026 World Heritage Festival on Gaya Tumuli," an event promoting the World Heritage-listed Gaya Tumuli scattered across three provinces in southeastern and southwestern South Korea, kicked off Friday.

 

The Cultural Heritage Administration and the three provinces -- South Gyeongsang, North Gyeongsang and North Jeolla -- along with seven cities and counties where the Gaya Tumuli are located, will jointly hold the festival through Sept. 10, beginning with an opening ceremony at the Haman Museum at 7 p.m. Thursday.

 

Seven UNESCO World Heritage-listed Gaya Tumuli in Gimhae, Haman, Goseong, Hapcheon and Changnyeong in South Gyeongsang Province, Goryeong in North Gyeongsang Province and Namwon in North Jeolla Province will be transformed into festival venues.

 

Each site will present the outstanding universal value and historical and cultural significance of the World Heritage sites through a variety of programs.

 

The Gaya Tumuli World Heritage Management Foundation will host various themed events through Sept. 10, including "Let's Go See the Stars," a nighttime program featuring storytelling lectures and telescope observations of the Gaya-era night sky; "I Am a Gaya Craftsman," where participants design and build a tumulus as craftsmen of the Gaya period; and "I Am a Korean Archaeologist," which allows participants to investigate Gaya stone-lined tombs and excavate, document and interpret artifacts.

 

Programs can be joined through advance reservations on the official website of the Gaya Tumuli World Heritage Festival (https://worldheritage-gaya.kr).

 

Visitors who visit at least four of the Gaya Tumuli during the festival will receive a set of seven commemorative items made using excavated artifacts.

 

The Cultural Heritage Administration holds a World Heritage Festival every year to promote the value of UNESCO World Heritage sites in South Korea.

 

This is the first time the festival has been dedicated to the Gaya Tumuli.

 

In 2023, UNESCO inscribed the Gaya Tumuli on its World Heritage list. The seven sites are Daeseongdong Tumuli in Gimhae; Malisan Tumuli in Haman; Songhakdong Tumuli in Goseong; Okjeon Tumuli in Hapcheon; Gyodong and Songhyeondong Tumuli in Changnyeong; Jisandong Tumuli in Goryeong; and Yugok-ri and Durak-ri Tumuli in Namwon.

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]