"A Global Festival Enjoyed by the World" — 63rd Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival Opens

The 63rd Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival opened on the 4th and runs for eight days through the 11th around Suwon Hwaseong. This year's theme is "New Light of Benevolence," which carries King Jeongjo's spirit of compassion for the people, representing a new light that benefits the masses widely.

Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun said at the opening bell-ringing ceremony held at Yeominggak on the 3rd, "I will prepare so that the Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival stands tall as a global festival, and King Jeongjo's royal procession leaps forward as a K-Culture Road. I hope all citizens will turn these eight days into a great festival." The bell-ringing ceremony was attended by Suwon Metropolitan Council Speaker Kim Mi-gyeong and National Assembly members Baek Hye-ryeon, Kim Young-jin, and Kim Jun-hyuk.

This year's festival expands the venue throughout the interior of Suwon Hwaseong, with programs held at Haenggung Plaza, Hwaseong Haenggung, Yeonmudae, Yongyon, and the Traditional Culture Center. The signature performance "Yazho" increases to five shows running daily from the 7th to the 11th at 8 p.m. on the special stage at Yeonmudae. At Yongyon, the water performance "Seonyumong" combines light, water, and sound, while five pavilions at Hwaseong Haenggung feature the mobile nighttime immersive content "Time Travel_Haenggung Stories of That Night."

The joint reenactment of King Jeongjo's royal procession departs from Nosong-jidae on the 4th and concludes at Haenggung Plaza after passing through Suwon Sports Complex and Jangan Gate. Detailed schedules can be found on the official Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival website.