KOREA in April is springtime and it comes alive with festivals alongside cheery blossom. The Wangin Cultural Festival is a unique one which introduces the Korean cultural : Confucianism, Hanja, Ssiruem (Korean wrestling), Pungmul (folk music focused on drums), Clothing from the Three Kingdoms of Korea era, carnival, modern concert, comedian art.
SPRING TIME IN KOREA
Driving into the Yeongam county, south west of the Korea peninsular, full blown cheery blossom.
On a foggy morning in the Yeongam County in south Korea, at the base of Wolcholsan mountain. The Korean Stelle differentiate from the Chinese with a top that looks like a Korean man's hat.
WHO IS WANGIN (王仁) ?
A 5th century Confucius scholar of Han origin and resided in ancient Baekje, credited in Korea for bridging the Korean - Japanese cultural link, and facilitating the development of the Asuka culture. These historical documentation originate from Japanese sources, and little from Korean sources. Many in the bigger south Korea however, are not aware of him. Nevertheless, it was a great festival and a time for Korean families in the area to congregate.
THOUSAND CHINESE CHARACTERS (千子文)
Wangin was credited in Korea for bridging the Korean - Japanese cultural link, and facilitating the development of the Asuka culture. He notably brought the Thousand Character Script to Japan.
SSIRUEM (KOREAN WRESTLING)
A folk wrestling style and traditional national sport of Korea, where each contestant wears a belt (satba) that wraps around the waist and the thigh. A Ssireum ring is about 7m, with the main referee in the ring. There are traditionally 3 judges and 3 sub referees. One achieves victory by bringing any part of the opponent's body above the knee to the ground. Unlike sumo, pushing your opponent outside of the ring does not warrant a win, just a restart.
FESTIVAL PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
A Korean percussion group heads the Wangin Cultural Festival parade, providing beats of festivity.
KOREAN PUNGMUL
A Korean folk music with emphasis on drumming, lead by kkwaenggwari (small handheld gong) player, with janggu (hourglass drum), buk (barrel drum), and jing (gong).
STUDENT PARADE TROOPS
At Wangin cultural festival parade, Korean student took part in the parade with drums and dances.
FLAG BEARERS IN TRADITIONAL CLOTHING
Part of Wangin cultural festival showcase Korean clothing style during the Three Kingdoms of Korea era.
WANGIN GOES TO JAPAN
Finale of the parade, an re-enactment of the Dr. Wangin travelling to Japan from ancient Seogdapo port.
CULTURE FESTIVAL CONCERTS
During the period of the festival, there were concerts every night.
KOREAN FIRE PERFORMANCES
Comedians performs in the carnival section of Wangin cultural festival.
Where was the festival?
At the south west of the Korean peninsular, Jeollanam-do, Yeongam-gun,
Footnote : Captured with Olympus E-M1 Mark II