This year's Naju Yongsan River Festival will take place from October 7 for five days.
Naju City plans to create a multifaceted cultural festival that brings together the history, culture, ecology, agriculture, and cuisine of Naju, centered around the Yongsan River.
From the opening to the closing day, the festival will feature daily performances with different themes and genres, along with an expanded range of family experiences, children's job experiences, board games, exhibitions, gourmet food, and garden content.
The festival will kick off on the first day, October 7, with a spectacular performance that encapsulates the history and stories of Naju.
The themed performance 'Wang Geon and Queen Janghwa' is a creative musical that reinterprets the story of Goryeo's founder Wang Geon and Queen Janghwa, who hails from Naju, through music and dramatic presentation, featuring actors Luna and Lee Chung-joo.
Following the performance, a drone light show and fireworks will illuminate the night sky over the Yongsan River, accompanied by a celebratory performance by Park Ji-hyun and Hong Ji-min.
On October 8, a stage combining local culture and arts with musicals will be presented.
The 'Yongsan River Wandering Cultural Salon,' featuring local cultural artists, will be followed by performances from previous public institution clubs, 'Yongsan River Colorful (樂)' and 'Together Yet Apart Orchestra 16.'
In the evening, a 'Musical Dramatic Show' featuring Jo Kwon, Michael Lee, and Ivy will take place.
October 9 will showcase Naju's traditional culture and K-POP under the theme 'Colors of Tradition and Energy of Youth.'
The Naju Cultural Center's 'Songs of the Past' will be followed by a procession of over 300 citizens participating in the Naju Moksasa procession, and a 'Natural Dye Fashion Show' that reinterprets Naju's representative cultural asset of natural dyeing into modern fashion content.
That night, Homidul, Giriboy, and Wishis will present the 'Yongsan River Wave Water Show.'
October 10 will be a day for children, families, gourmet food, and classical music.
A family participation stage, 'Pinkfong Sing-Along Show,' will allow parents and children to sing and dance together, while 'Food Orchestra at Yongsan River' will feature An Yoo-sung, a master chef and ambassador for 'Visit Naju Year,' who will conduct a special lunch box-making session using rice from the Naju plains and local ingredients, sharing his secret sauce recipes and ingredient combinations with participants.
The final day, October 11, will conclude the festival with the theme 'Harmony Across Generations.'
Two sessions of the 'Tiny Ping Sing-Along Show' will be held, followed by a 'Yongsan River Dance Competition' where participants will showcase their dance moves to music, and a magic concert for the whole family.
The closing performance 'Riverbank Song' will feature Seongri and Kim Yeon-ja, creating a stage for all generations to sing along and enjoy.
Naju City plans to transform the entire Yongsan River Garden area into a massive festival venue where performances, experiences, gourmet food, gardens, and relaxation come together, encouraging visitors to stay longer and experience the diverse attractions of Naju.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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