Yangju City’s ‘Participatory Phone’ Approach Draws 120,000 Visitors to Hoeamsaji Royal Festival
Visitors Increase by 24,000 Due to Enhanced Citizen Participation and Experience Programs... DJ Performances Integrating Traditional Heritage... Content Diversification Extends Stay Time
[Yangju Break News] Reporter Kim Wan-young = 120,000 people visited the ‘9th Hoeamsaji Royal Festival’ in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province. This is an increase of approximately 24,000 compared to last year. It is analyzed that the operational approach, which expanded citizen participation and strengthened experience programs, led to the increase in visitors.
A key feature of this year’s festival is the prominent placement of programs in which citizens directly participate. As the festival operated with a structure where citizens participated in the royal procession and visitors directly engaged through experience programs and quizzes, the focus of the festival shifted from mere observation to participation.
Approximately 100 people, including citizen actors and participation groups, participated in the royal procession, the flagship program. Citizens directly participated in the reenactment of the royal procession, enhancing the level of immersion at the event. The event garnered a great response, with applause and cheers continuing along every section of the procession, establishing itself as a representative content of the Royal Festival created and enjoyed by the citizens.
Experiential programs also drew visitor participation. Approximately 480 people participated in the "Answer Thump! Bronze and Gold Thump Byeolsan's OX Quiz," including those who registered in advance and on-site. The event was designed to allow visitors to engage with the history and cultural heritage of Hoeamsaji Temple Site while participating directly in the quiz.
The "Byeolsan's Hoeamsaji Seal Unsealing DJ Party" was held on the main stage at Hoeamsaji Temple Site. This performance combined music and video production within a traditional heritage space, offering content distinct from conventional shows and encouraging participation from diverse age groups.
Buddhist culture experience programs were also operated concurrently. Lectures and tastings on temple food, singing bowl meditation, and tea ceremony experiences were provided, offering opportunities to experience traditional culture.
Performance programs were conducted on both the main and auxiliary stages. Performances of various genres took place, and on the final day of the festival, Yangju City's honorary ambassadors My Jin, singers Kim Ki-tae and Kim Bum-chan took the stage to continue the performances.
As part of programs linked to the local economy, the "Royal Festival Flirting Week" was operated during the festival, and a local currency cashback event was held.
A Yangju City official stated, "We focused on developing the festival into one where citizens can participate directly," adding, "Based on the historical value of Hoeamsa Temple Site, we will develop it into a representative historical and cultural festival of Northern Gyeonggi Province."
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