Gwacheon City Hosts 50th Anniversary Commemoration Performance of National Intangible Cultural Property Tightrope Walking [Culture S]

[News S=Cheon Ui-hyun Reporter] Gwacheon City in Gyeonggi Province announced that it will hold a performance commemorating the 50th anniversary of tightrope walking's designation as a National Intangible Cultural Property.

Gwacheon City will hold "2026 Tightrope Walking Transmission Planning Performance: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Gathering, Daeryeong Gwangdae" on the 6th at 3 p.m. at the lawn plaza of Gwacheon Central Park.

Marking the 50th anniversary since tightrope walking was designated as a National Intangible Cultural Property in 1976, the event was organized in Gwacheon, the birthplace of tightrope walking, to reflect on the value of traditional arts and raise awareness of the significance of future transmission.

The performance will feature Kim Dae-gyun, a holder of the performing art, along with young tightrope walkers dreaming of becoming Daeryeong Gwangdae and tightrope walking transmitters, presenting diverse traditional tightrope walking including traditional dance, Palbaak Taryeong, and Gutgeori Dance, as well as female and male tightrope walking performances.

Members of the National Intangible Cultural Property Iri Nongak Preservation Society will participate as special guests, and the pansori stage will feature Wang Ki-seok, a holder of the Jeonbuk Intangible Cultural Property Sugung-ga, along with assistant successors. National Intangible Cultural Property holder Lee Chun-mok of Seodo Sori and transmission educator Park Joon-gil will also take the stage, adding depth to traditional arts.

This performance is made possible through the sponsorship of Gwacheon City, the National Heritage Administration, and the National Heritage Promotion Agency. It is expected to be a stage that introduces citizens to the charm of traditional tightrope walking through the dynamic acrobatic skills and humorous repartee of young tightrope walkers.

Gwacheon City Mayor Shin Gye-yong said, "In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of tightrope walking's designation, we have organized a meaningful performance bringing together holders, transmitters, and young tightrope walkers in Gwacheon, the birthplace of tightrope walking," and added, "We ask for your interest and support so that we can share the traditional value and charm of tightrope walking with citizens and allow future generations to carry on the tradition."

Gwacheon City is also promoting the construction of a transmission education center for the systematic preservation and transmission of tightrope walking.