Gijang Eupseong, which has a 600-year history, will transform into a festival space for residents and tourists.
The Gijang County announced on October 7 that it will hold the '2026 Gijang Eupseong Festival' for the first time from October 9 to 11 at Gijang Eupseong.
This festival is designed to allow visitors to actively participate and enjoy the historical site of Gijang Eupseong while inheriting the traditions and values of the Chasung Festival, Gijang's representative historical and cultural event.
Notably, the festival will shift away from the traditional focus on stage performances like singing contests and trot shows, instead offering a variety of programs including reading, hands-on experiences, board games, talks, films, and music.
Under the theme 'Let’s Play at the Fortress,' the festival will encourage visitors to stroll around the fortress walls, read books, and engage in various activities, allowing them to experience the historical and cultural space as a relaxing spot in their daily lives.
Programs will be available from day to night to encourage visitors to stay longer, and plans are underway to connect the festival with Gijang Market and surrounding commercial areas and tourist attractions.
Gijang County aims to develop Gijang Eupseong into a cultural space where residents can enjoy walking, reading, yoga, and meditation regularly, using this festival as a catalyst.
After the festival, the county plans to discover cultural tourism content that preserves the historical value of Gijang Eupseong while ensuring it remains a destination for both residents and tourists.
Gijang Eupseong, a significant historical and cultural heritage site, was built in 1425 during the 7th year of King Sejong's reign. It was once the administrative and social center of the Gijang area, and ongoing excavations and research on historical documents and maps are gradually confirming the locations of the fortress walls and key buildings.
Woo Seong-bin, the head of Gijang County, stated, "I hope this festival will help Gijang Eupseong be remembered not just as a space that looks back at the past, but as a place where residents and tourists can comfortably stay and enjoy. We will cultivate it as a representative historical and cultural space in Gijang that preserves its historical value while being accessible to everyone in their daily lives."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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