▲ The file photo shows visitors enjoying the K-Royal Culture Festival held in Seoul in the spring of 2022. (Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, April 30 (Yonhap) -- The Cultural Heritage Administration's K-Royal Palaces and Tombs Center, along with the Cultural Heritage Foundation of Korea, opened the "2024 Spring K-Royal Culture Festival" from April 27 to May 5.

 

The K-Royal Culture Festival is held at the seven major cultural heritage sites in Seoul, which embraces the history and beauty of Joseon and Korean Empire. The venues include five palaces -- Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, Gyeonghuigung Palace -- along with Jongmyo Shrine and Sajikdan Altar.

 

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this year's festival presents a variety of traditional cultural experiences, exhibitions, and performances under the theme of "Sharing K-Royal Culture Together, Preserving National Heritage Together."

 

The festival kicked off with an opening ceremony held at Geunjeongjeon Hall in Gyeongbokgung Palace on the afternoon of the 26th, just one day before the spring event. The ceremony, adorned as if it had returned to 1446 when King Sejong (reign 1418-1450), considered the greatest monarch of the Joseon Dynasty, promulgated Hunminjeongeum. The opening event looked back at the 10-year history of the festival, while signaling a new beginning.

 

▲ Visitors enjoy the K-Royal Culture Festival held in Seoul in the spring of 2023. (Yonhap)

 

Professor Park Dong-woo from Hongik University's Graduate School of Performing Arts, who was in charge of the opening ceremony, stated, "We will focus on showcasing the vibrant cultural heritage by adding diverse software to the splendid hardware of the palace."

 

During the K-Royal Culture Festival period, each palace offers programs tailored to its unique characteristics. At Gyeongbokgung Palace, which served as the main K-Royal palace during the Joseon Dynasty, visitors can enjoy traditional court music performances and palace musicals against the backdrop of the national treasure, Geunjeongjeon Hall.

 

The performance "100 Sounds of Good Governance," to be premiered on April 4-5, features 100 musicians presenting reinterpretations of court music, folk songs, and classical music, including the court music ensemble "Yeomillak."

 

From May 1 to 5, twice a day, visitors can experience various aspects of K-Royal palace life by becoming "K-Royal Palace Newcomers," wearing traditional costumes, and participating in hands-on cultural activities.

 

▲ A poster of the 2024 K-Royal Culture Festival (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

 

 

 

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]