Ansan's pride, the festival honoring the spirit and achievements of Seongho Yi Ik, a great master of Silhak thought, successfully concludes.
The "28th Seongho Cultural Festival," hosted by Ansan City and organized by the Ansan Cultural, was successfully held for two days from May 31 to June 1 at Seongho Park. This festival was prepared to honor the outstanding Silhak (practical learning) philosophy and academic achievements of Seongho Yi Ik (1681-1763), a great scholar born in Ansan during the late Joseon Dynasty, and to pass on his spirit to modern times. Citizens spent meaningful time directly experiencing the academic depth of Seongho Yi Ik and the beauty of traditional culture through various programs.
Seongho Yi Ik, Ansan's Shining Heritage
Seongho Yi Ik was a prominent Silhak scholar who recognized and sought to reform the contradictions of late Joseon society. He demonstrated profound insights into various contemporary social problems, including the shortcomings of the civil service examination system, issues with the land system, and the irrationality of the class system. He also proposed practical reform measures across a wide range of fields, including agriculture, commerce, industry, and science and technology. His scholarship profoundly influenced later Silhak scholars, particularly providing a significant ideological foundation for Jeong Yak-yong. The tomb and memorial hall of Seongho Yi Ik, located in I-dong, Sangnok-gu, Ansan City, are important historical legacies that offer a glimpse into his academic footprint and spirit. Ansan City strives to honor his spirit annually through the Seongho Cultural Festival and widely promote it to its citizens.
A Rich Festival with Diverse Programs
The 28th Seongho Cultural Festival, under the theme "Connecting the Beauty and Elegance of Seongho," featured a variety of programs. On May 31, the first day of the festival, the "Yi Ik Seonsaeng Sungmoje" (memorial ceremony) was solemnly held at the shrine of Seongho Yi Ik's tomb, honoring his academic virtues. Through the ceremonial rituals, participants had time to reflect on the noble spirit of Seongho Yi Ik.
Over the two days, various hands-on experience programs were operated throughout Seongho Park for citizens to directly participate in and enjoy. In particular, the "Seongho Sketch Contest," where hidden artistic talents were showcased by participants ranging from preschoolers to high school students from the Ansan area, drew enthusiastic attention from many students and parents. It became a venue for artistically expressing the spirit of Silhak by drawing pictures related to Seongho Yi Ik using various techniques such as watercolor and crayon. On the second day, outstanding works were selected and awarded, enhancing the participants' sense of accomplishment.
There were also abundant programs where visitors could experience the beauty and excitement of traditional culture. The lively "Wari Pungmul Nori Performance" (traditional percussion music) heightened the festival atmosphere, and the "Traditional Folk Games Experience Zone" offered joy to family visitors by allowing them to experience various traditional games like Yutnori, Tuho, and Jegichagi.
The "Samduhoe Experience Zone" recreated the gathering where Seongho Yi Ik discussed academics and composed poetry with his disciples, allowing participants to indirectly experience the elegance and academic exchange of ancient scholars. In addition, the "Seongho Philosophy Panel Exhibition" displayed Seongho Yi Ik's life, academic achievements, and main ideas in an easy-to-understand manner, helping citizens' understanding.
Cultural Performances Blending Tradition and Modernity
The "Concert with Grandpa Seongho," held on June 1, was the highlight of this cultural festival. This performance, harmonizing tradition and modernity, showcased the beauty of traditional art and the blend of modern popular music, receiving an enthusiastic response from the audience. In particular, talented singers such as Jung Mi-ae, Lee Beom-hak, and Kim Bo-min appeared, delighting the audience with their excellent singing and stage presence. They performed meaningful concerts honoring the spirit of Seongho Yi Ik, providing cultural beyond a simple music concert.
Prioritizing Safety, Efforts for a Successful Festival
Ansan City conducted thorough pre-safety inspections in cooperation with Gyeonggi Province and private experts the day before the festival to ensure citizens could enjoy it safely. Meticulous checks were carried out on the safety of facilities, electrical and fire safety equipment, preparedness for potential hazards during the event, and the overall safety management of the venue. Furthermore, ambulances were on standby at the venue throughout the festival period to promptly respond to any emergency, and administrative efforts focused on prioritizing citizen safety, including operating a lost child center and deploying safety management personnel, enabled the successful conclusion of the festival.
Ansan Mayor Lee Min-geun stated that he hoped this Seongho Cultural Festival would "become a festival where all citizens can come together and serve as an opportunity to widely promote the spirit and beauty of Seongho Yi Ik." As he wished, the 28th Seongho Cultural Festival successfully concluded, providing Ansan citizens with a meaningful opportunity to re-examine the noble spirit of Seongho Yi Ik and reflect on the value of traditional culture. It raised anticipation for the 29th Seongho Cultural Festival next year, establishing itself as an important festival that inherits and develops Ansan's history and culture.
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