2024-04-14 12:48:30
Andong City is holding the 5th reenactment event of Mr. Toegye’s final homecoming. Andong City, along with Gyeongsangbuk-do and the Gyeongbuk Cultural Foundation, will hold a 14-day journey from April 12 to April 25 to reenact Toegye’s final homecoming.
The reenactment event of Toegye’s final homecoming, now in its 5th year, begins with an opening ceremony held at Sajeongjeon in Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul on April 12, and includes a 700-ri walk to Dosan Seowon. Despite the pleas of the young King Seonjo, he resigns from his official position and prays for his long-cherished wish. It was prepared to provide an opportunity to awaken modern people to the true spirit of a scholar through the spirit of humility, consideration, and withdrawal of Master Toegye, who left for his final homecoming to Dosan, Andong.
At this year’s opening ceremony, more than 200 domestic and foreign reenactment troupes and officials, including ambassadors to Korea from four countries and the Vatican to Korea, as well as guests such as Lee Kyung-hoon, Deputy Director of the Cultural Heritage Administration, and Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of North Gyeongsang Province, participated. Starting with the Chorus of the Dosan Twelve Songs, the purpose and meaning of the event were conveyed and the retirement ceremony was held. There will also be a theater performance reconstructing the last conversation between the teacher and the king.
This homecoming reenactment group consisted of a total of 80 people, including the general public and students, which was nearly twice the number of participants compared to last year. Various organizations also participated to reflect on the meaning of the homecoming journey, exchange and communicate with each other, and learn and practice. It is expected that this will be the starting point.
It passes through five metropolitan governments, including Seoul, Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Chungbuk, and Gyeongbuk, and small-scale events are held at Chungju Government Office Park, Cheongpung Hanbyeokru, and Yeongju Isan Seowon. On the 19th, at Chungju Government House, Changsu, the farewell poem of Toegye and Songdang, on the 20th, at Cheongpung Hanbyeokru, Changsu, the poem of Toegye and Seoae’s Hanbyeoknu, and on the 23rd, at Isan Seowon, lectures were given on the topics of ‘Yeongju and Toegye Teacher’ and ‘Isan Seowon and Toegye Writers.’ This goes on. Through regional events, local residents will participate and lay the foundation for making the Toegye Homecoming Road a representative pilgrimage route in Korea.
On the 25th, the last day, a Goyuje ritual will be held at Sangdeoksa Temple in Dosan Seowon, and the 14-day schedule will conclude with a poetry reading of the Sanmae Gyeongdap and a chorus of Dosan Twelve Songs.
Andong Mayor Kwon Ki-chang said, “Just as Toegye returned home, he established a seowon, trained younger students, and fostered talented individuals, increasing the population and laying the foundation for regional economic prosperity, we will open a new path for the future through the spirit of Toegye.” As the slogan goes, ‘Toegye’s road connects the future,’ walking the homecoming road will be an opportunity to share Andong’s new future vision and awaken the humanistic spirit and the joy of walking while enjoying the beautiful scenery of our rivers and mountains to those who walk this road. “In the future, we will work hard to ensure that more people know the value of this road and can easily walk it,” he said.
Reporter Queen Choi Hana
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2024-04-14 12:48:30