Pohang Janggi Exile Culture Festival
ποΈ Festival Dates: 2025.04.12 ~ 2025.04.20
Discover a unique intersection of history and culture at the Pohang Janggi Exile Culture Festival. Janggi County, located within Pohang City, holds a distinct place in Korean history, documented in records such as the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty. These records indicate that this area served as a place of exile on approximately 150 occasions, affecting around 200 individuals throughout history.
Among those exiled to Janggi were figures of significant renown, including the scholar Uiam Song Si-yeol and the philosopher Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, alongside other prominent politicians displaced from central political circles. Their presence in Janggi contributed to a flourishing of academic research and literary culture within the region. This festival seeks to explore and reinterpret the historical significance and enduring value of this specific "exile culture" through a contemporary lens. It presents a range of cultural and artistic programs, thoughtfully themed around the area’s beautiful natural scenery, thereby establishing itself as a distinctive historical and cultural event unlike others.
Festival Program
The festival unfolds over several days, featuring both preliminary activities and main events designed to engage visitors with Janggi’s unique heritage.
1. Pre-programs
- Exile Culture Road Tour: Embark on guided tours exploring the historical paths and sites related to Janggi’s exile history.
- Dates & Times: 2025. 04. 12 (Sat), 20 (Sun) / 09:00 and 14:00
- Art Contest & Literary Contest: Participate in or observe creative competitions inspired by the region’s history and culture.
- Date & Time: 2025. 04. 12 (Sat) / 13:30 ~ 16:30
- Janggi Exile Culture Experience Village Escape Game <Janggi, Possible!>: Engage in an interactive escape game set within the historical context of the Janggi Exile Culture Experience Village.
- Date & Times: 2025. 04. 12 (Sat) / 11:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00
2. Main Programs
- Exile Procession Reenactment: Witness a vivid reenactment depicting the historical processions of individuals being sent into exile.
- Date & Time: 2025. 04. 19 (Sat) / 10:45
- Opening Ceremony: Attend the official commencement of the main festival events.
- Date & Time: 2025. 04. 19 (Sat) / 11:00
- Talk Concert: Participate in an engaging discussion featuring insights and stories related to Janggi’s exile culture.
- Date & Time: 2025. 04. 19 (Sat) / 14:00 ~ 16:00
- Experience Programs: Immerse yourself in various hands-on activities related to the festival’s themes.
- Date & Time: 2025. 04. 19 (Sat) / 10:00 ~ 17:00
Visitor Information
π Address: 452, Janggi-ro, Janggi-myeon, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
π° Fee: Admission to the festival is Free.
π Contact: For inquiries, please call 054-289-7852.
π₯οΈ Homepage: Visit the official festival website for more details: festival.phcf.or.kr (New Window : Pohang Janggi Exile Culture Festival Homepage)
ποΈ Accommodation near the event
Understanding Janggi Exile Culture
Janggi exile culture refers to the historical practice in Korea where individuals, often scholars, officials, or political figures, were exiled to remote regions as a form of punishment or political maneuvering. This practice was particularly prevalent during the Joseon Dynasty, a period marked by strict Confucian governance and intricate court politics. Exile served as a method to remove dissenting voices or political rivals without resorting to execution, thus maintaining a semblance of moral governance.
While exile was a punishment, it also became a period of reflection and intellectual growth for many. Exiled individuals often engaged in writing, poetry, and philosophical contemplation, contributing significantly to Korean literature and thought. The rural and isolated places of exile influenced the exiles’ works and perspectives.
The Janggi exile culture highlights the resilience and adaptability of those who lived through it, transforming a period of hardship into one of personal and cultural development. The 2025 Pohang Janggi Exile Culture Festival aims to celebrate this aspect of Korean history, offering visitors a chance to explore the stories, writings, and legacies of those who experienced exile firsthand. Through reenactments, exhibitions, and interactive experiences, the festival showcases the contributions of these historical figures.
