The essence of traditional culture unfolds right in the heart of Seoul.
On the coming 10th (Saturday), the ‘2025 Dano Celebration K-National Intangible Heritage Festival’ will take place in Insadong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. This event is co-hosted by the National Dano Festival Association and the National Intangible Heritage Union, and is themed as a venue for harmony to promote traditional cultural arts.
The festival begins with a procession at 11:30 AM, stretching from Bukinsa Square to Naminsa Square. About 200 members of the National Dano Festival Association and two horses will march together, marking the start of the festivities. This section will be closed to vehicles for one hour from 11:00 AM due to the event.
The opening ceremony will commence with the inaugural declaration by Kim Dong-chan, chairman of the National Dano Festival Association, followed by welcoming remarks from Lee Geun-bok, director of the National Intangible Heritage Union, as well as congratulatory speeches from various dignitaries.
In part one of the event, traditional local seasonal customs will be reenacted. The Gangneung Danoje Committee will present Gangneung Dano Gut, the Gyeongsan Jain Danoje Preservation Society will perform Yeowonmu and Palgwangdae dance, and the Gwangju Sajik Danoje Promotion Committee will offer events like washing hair with calamus and writing family mottos on Dano fans.
Part two will feature performances by holders of national intangible heritage. Traditional arts such as Gayageum Sanjo, Daegeum Sanjo, Pansori, Seodo Song, Geomungo Sanjo, Gagok, Gayageum Byeongchang, and Taekkyeon will be showcased in 15-minute intervals.
Exhibition booths displaying traditional crafts and heritage such as woodcraft, fans, lacquer work, traditional instruments, calligraphy, and tiles will also be available throughout the venue.
A Jongno-gu official said, “This event provides an opportunity to experience the diverse Dano seasonal customs in Insadong, the center of traditional culture,” and “we anticipate great interest from citizens for this urban traditional cultural festival.”