The 20th Gijang Eel Festival, celebrating the region's signature seafood, will take place from October 16 to 18 at Chiram Port in Busan's Gijang County.
Organized by the Gijang Eel Festival Committee, this year's event will feature discounted eel sales, hands-on eel catching experiences, and free tastings. Fireworks displays will light up the night sky on both the opening and closing days.
Commonly known as 'anago,' the eel is renowned for its tender and rich flavor, making it a staple of Gijang's seafood offerings. Chiram Port is home to various lighthouses and is a popular spot for enjoying a variety of seafood, including eel.
Since its inception in 2004, the Gijang Eel Festival has been held alternately at Chiram and Sinam Ports. This year marks its 20th anniversary, and new interactive programs have been added to enhance visitor participation.
One of the most popular activities is the 'hands-on eel catching experience,' where participants can try to catch slippery eels with their bare hands, making it a fun event for families.
The festival will also include discounted eel sales and free tastings of eel bibimbap. Other attractions will feature performances, an eel fringe festival, and a challenge event titled 'Challenge! Eel!' over the three days. A new program, 'Eel Tail Shaking,' invites participants to wear pedometers and shake their bodies. An impromptu karaoke event, 'I Am a Singer,' will also be available for attendees to showcase their singing talents.
On October 16, a parade and opening ceremony will kick off the festivities, followed by an EDM concert and the Eel POWER concert featuring artists like Na Sang-do and Hwang In-a. The evening will conclude with a fireworks show. On October 17, eel-themed experiences and performances will continue, and the final day, October 18, will feature 'I Am a Singer' and an eel EDM concert, culminating in a second fireworks display that night.
Woo Bong-cheol, chair of the Gijang Eel Festival Committee, stated, "This festival is possible thanks to the support of those who have attended the Gijang Eel Festival for the past twenty years. I hope everyone enjoys fresh eel and creates lasting memories at Chiram Port this fall."
Woo Seong-bin, the mayor of Gijang County, remarked, "The Gijang Eel Festival, which has continued for 20 years, has become a representative event that promotes the eel and local food culture of Chiram Port. I hope everyone enjoys the diverse programs prepared for this 20th anniversary and has a wonderful time with family and friends."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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