Goryeong Daegaya Festival: A Celebration of History and Culture
ποΈ March 28-30, 2025
The Goryeong Daegaya Festival offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the history and culture of the ancient kingdom of Daegaya. This event, recognized as a premier cultural tourism festival by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, commemorates the historical significance of the Daegaya civilization, which has been further illuminated by recent archaeological discoveries, such as the ‘Great King’s Earthenware’ found within the moat of the Goryeong Daegaya Palace Site.
Please note that the following festival food information pertains to the 2024 event. Details for the 2025 festival are currently being updated.
Delve into a Rich Tapestry of Events
The festival boasts a diverse array of programs designed to engage visitors of all ages and interests. These can be broadly classified into:
1. Main Programs
These performances and events form the core of the festival:
- Carrie and Friends + Large Photo Zone: A family-friendly attraction featuring popular characters and a designated area for capturing memorable photos.
- Great Gaya History Talk Concert: Featuring insights from esteemed educators such as Teacher Choi Tae-seong and Professor Yoo Hong-jun.
- 100 Gayageum Performance: A grand musical spectacle showcasing the traditional Korean stringed instrument.
- Creative Musical Gayatgo: An original musical production, likely inspired by the history and culture of Gaya.
2. Sub-programs
These events add further depth and variety to the festival experience:
- Gaya Choral Festival: A showcase of choral music.
- Citizens’ Harmony Festival: An event promoting community spirit.
- Special Invited Performance: Featuring the Provincial Traditional Music Orchestra.
- Local Resident Participation Performance: Showcasing the talents of local performers.
- Blacklight Children’s Play: A visually engaging performance for younger audiences.
- Great Gaya Citizens’ Parade: A vibrant procession through the festival grounds.
3. Consumer Experience Programs
These interactive activities allow visitors to actively participate in the festival:
- Theme Experience (Paid/Free): Including the Great King’s Earthenware Excavation Experience and Finding the Great King’s Royal Seal in a Maze.
- Strawberry Experience (Paid): Offering culinary delights such as Making Strawberry Tarts, Making Strawberry Fondue, and Making Strawberry Candles.
- Art Experience (Paid/Free): Activities like Face Painting and Chalk Art.
- Free Experience: Including Large Jenga Game, Toy Library, Tattoo Stickers, Design Sketching, and Board Games.
Essential Festival Information
- π Address: Dae Gaya History Theme Park, 1216 Dae Gaya-ro, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do.
- ποΈ Accommodation near the event
- π° Fee: Admission is free, though some experience programs require payment.
- π Contact: 054-950-6427
- βοΈ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_goryeong_tourism_/
- π₯οΈ Homepage: https://www.festdgy.com/
What was the Daegaya Kingdom?
The Daegaya Kingdom was a notable city-state during Korea’s Three Kingdoms period, thriving from the 5th to the 6th century. Situated in the southern Korean Peninsula, in present-day Goryeong County, Daegaya was part of the Gaya confederacy, a collection of small polities that significantly influenced the region’s cultural and political dynamics. Renowned for its ironworking technology, Daegaya was a hub of trade and craftsmanship, producing sought-after iron goods for neighboring kingdoms.
Daegaya’s position along the Nakdong River enabled trade and cultural exchanges with other Korean states, as well as Japan and China. This interaction enriched the kingdom’s cultural heritage, reflected in its distinctive pottery, burial practices, and earthen fortifications. Despite its accomplishments, Daegaya was eventually absorbed by the expanding Silla Kingdom in the mid-6th century, becoming part of the unified Silla state.
Today, the legacy of the Daegaya Kingdom is preserved through archaeological sites and cultural events, such as the Goryeong Daegaya Festival, which provide insights into the kingdom’s history and its lasting impact on Korean culture.
