Dried Persimmon Fest

[Anchor Lead]

A dried persimmon festival is currently under way in Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province which is the largest producer of dried persimmon in Korea. A procession offering the dried fruit to Joseon Dynasty kings is also being reenacted at the festival. Take a look.

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With a farmers' band playing in the background, a carriage carrying dried persimmons, a local specialty of Sangju in Gyeongsang-do Province, heads toward capital Hanyang to be offered to the king. The king, who had lost appetite due to concerns over state affairs, regains his vigor upon eating the dried fruit from Sangju.

[Soundbite] "Make sure to have the dried persimmon you have offered today presented every year from Sangju in a timely fashion."

It's recorded in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty that the royal court received dried persimmons as a tributary offering from Sangju. Inspired by these records, the Sangju Dried Persimmon Festival has added additional stories to its proceedings. There's a lot to see at the festival for tourists.

[Soundbite] Goo Bong-hoi(Gumi, Gyeongsangbuk-do Prov.) : "There's much to see at the festival, including a variety of events."

A once unremarkable local festival now stands apart, having combined historical and cultural elements with the festivities. A variety of events are also held on the sidelines, including a "tigers' dance" whose motif is based on the traditional fairy tale of "the tiger and the dried persimmon." Thanks to such creative ideas, the Sangju Dried Persimmon Festival has been recognized by the government as an outstanding festival on several consecutive years. Sangju accounts for 60 percent of the national output of dried persimmon. The city is further boosting that status by showcasing a one of a kind local festival.