SMILE FOREVER, Andong

Andong-si, located in the north-central part of Gyeongsangbuk-do, is the seat of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Government and is famous for being the home of traditional culture including Confucianism. It is a city where many cultural assets are preserved along with various traditional cultural attractions such as Hahoe Village and Dosan Seowon, and Buddhist culture and folk culture, along with Confucian culture that were all flourished. Hahoe Village, Dosanseowon, Byeongsanseowon, Bongjeongsa, and Confucian Books are listed to UNESCO World Heritage. 

A place embracing traditional culture

Andong Hahoe Village

Andong Hahoe Village is a place that preserves our traditional culture along with traditional houses as they were in the past. It is a representative clan-based village in Korea where the Pungsan Ryu clan has lived for over 600 years. The name Hahoe () is derived from the Nakdong River flowing through the village. It was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010. Traditional buildings and houses such as seowons, pavilions and jeongsas are well in a harmony. The city also has has Andong Hanji Experience Center and the Hahoe Mask Museum.

Hahoe Byeolsingut Mask Nori, one of the traditional cultures of Hahoe Village, has been performed by ordinary people since the Goryeo Dynasty in the middle of the 12th century. It has a long history of more than 800 years, and satire and humor reflecting the times have outstanding universal value that penetrates human civilization. It consists of kangshin (摓蜺), ohshin (佌蜺), and songshin (踣蜺), and this represents the composition of the performance of the festival as it is. 

Put on a mask and make the world one

Andong Maskdance Festival

Andong City is hosting the Andong Maskdance Festival. No matter where you go in the world, there are masks. Masks represent the joys and sorrows that people of any country could not express. Mask is used as a means to lead a happy life anywhere in the world, and it is a means for the world to exchange culture with each other. The Andong Maskdance Festival is emerging as Korea’s representative festival, attracting over 1 million people from all over the world for 10 days. At the event, the National Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 73 ‘Gasan Ogwangdae’ from  Chukdong-myeon, Sacheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do was played alongside the Gangnyeong Mask Dance from Hwanghaedo. In 2019, it attracted teams from Taiwan, Latvia, Russia, Malaysia, and Uzbekistan. This year, Slovakia and the Philippines are expected to perform amogn many others. Events that harmonize with modern culture such as mask busking competitions in which people can wear masks and show their talents to the fullest, and various creative plays will also be held. Visitors can take part in Andong Folklore Festival or Hahoe Village Traditional Madang for more fun. It will be held from September 29 to October 3 in Andong’s original downtown area and on the Metaverse under the theme of ‘Escape the World, The Precious Hero’.