South Korean regional festivals celebrate Silla history and local culture

Various regional cultural festivals in South Korea have concluded, highlighting historical heritage and local tourism. In Gyeongju, the 53rd Silla Cultural Festival and the Silla Arts Festival successfully integrated traditional Silla history with modern performances, including musicals, drone shows, and international exchanges with Chinese performance groups. The festivals featured diverse programs such as the Silk Road Festa and Hwarang Hip-hop Festa, supported by a large citizen volunteer group to ensure safety and engagement.

Additionally, the Haeoreum Alliance, a regional cooperation body, announced a joint performance series involving the municipal art groups of Gyeongju, Pohang, and Ulsan. The production, ‘Light of a Thousand Years, One Echo’, uses choral music and orchestras to reenact the history of the Silla Dynasty, from King Bak Hyeokgeose to King Muyeol.

In Naju, the 2026 Naju Yeongsan River Festival drew 540,000 visitors. The event featured an expanded 120,000-pyeong autumn flower garden and various musical genres ranging from trot to classical music. The festival also emphasized local economic revitalization through food programs and traditional cultural reenactments.