GANGNEUNG CITY ENG - 솔향강릉

National Danoje Festival Association to Hold Joint Publicity Event at Cheonggye Plaza on May 22

The National Danoje Festival Association will hold a joint publicity event under the theme “Dano, Becoming One” on May 22, starting at 11:30 a.m. at Cheonggye Plaza.

Formed in 2023, the National Danoje Festival Association comprises the Gangneung Danoje Festival, Gyeongsan Jain Danoje Festival, Beopseongpo Danoje Festival, Gwangju Sajik Danoje Festival, and Jeonju Danoje Festival. It aims to spread Dano culture and establish the Danoje Festival as a global celebration.

Ahead of the Danoje Festival period next month, the National Danoje Festival Association will showcase performances, demonstrations, and experiences representing each region’s Dano festival in a joint promotional event.

The event will commence with the General Hojang Parade by the Gyeongsan Jain Danoje Preservation Association. Gyeongsan Jain Danoje is associated with General Han, and the Ho-jjang Parade involves numerous participants and horses marching to General Han’s shrine on the morning of Dano. Approximately 150 people will participate in this parade, representing Gyeongsan Jain Danoje with a grand performance.

Following the Hojang Parade, the Beopseongpo Danoje Preservation Association will present the Nanjangteugi, which marks the start of Beopseongpo Danoje a month before Dano, on the fifth day of the fourth lunar month. It involves the installation of local flags and rituals to pray for community harmony and a successful Dano Festival.

The final performance will be the Yeowonmu by the Gyeongsan Jain Danoje Preservation Association. Yeowonmu is a dance in which General Han and his sister, dressed in flower-covered outfits and wearing a 3-meter–high flower crown, lure Japanese invaders to Willow Pond on Docheonsan Mountain. This captivating performance is sure to enthrall the audience.

Apart from performances, various programs will take place. The Gwangju Sajik Danoje Committee will host demonstrations of traditional activities such as washing hair with changpo (sweet flag) water and writing family mottos. Traditionally, our ancestors believed that the strong scent of changpo repelled evil spirits and misfortune. The hair-washing performance will offer a taste of Dano’s atmosphere. In addition, an exclusive event will allow 100 participants to receive their family motto written on a Danosun fan. Historically, giving Danosun fans was a custom where the king gifted fans to his subjects, which evolved into a tradition among the general populace.

To promote health and well-being, the Gangneung Danoje Festival Committee will host tastings of traditional Dano dishes, such as surichwi rice cakes, and the Gwangju Sajik Danoje Committee will offer omija tea. There will also be hands-on experiences, including pounding rice cakes using traditional methods and tools. Attendees can enjoy a performance by the Gangneung Danoje mascot, and those who follow the Gangneung Danoje social media accounts will receive festival merchandise.

Kim Dong-chan, Chairman of the National Danoje Festival Association and Gangneung Danoje Festival Committee, stated that the joint event held by the four regions hosting Korea’s representative Dano Festivals is highly significant. He encouraged great interest in Dano and asked for much love for each region’s Dano Festival next month.

Provided by the Gangneung Danoje Festival Committee.