Detail

In 1955, a crowd of people from around the nation flocked to Sabi, the old capital of Baekje Kingdom (now Buyeo of Chungcheongnam-do) with the desire to watch a sacrificial rite paying respects to the loyal subjects and the loyal court ladies who had thrown themselves to their death 1,400 years ago. Initiated by local residents, the Baekje Cultural Festival, now stretching beyond its local boundaries, has become a world cultural festival over the last 60 years. The festival is also a reminder of the cultural power of the Kingdom which had developed and spread its ancient culture to neighboring countries through international exchange. The 60th Baekje Cultural Festival is to be held from September 26 to October 5, 2014 for 10 days in and around Buyeo-gun and Gongju city in Chungcheongnamdo. Visitors will see cultural originality and the dominance of Baekje through a variety of programs: “Baekje-Goguryeo-Silla Cultural Exchange Exhibition”which shows the predominance of the Baekje culture through comparison with the other cultures of the Three Kingdoms. The “Korea-China-Japan Cultural Exchange Exhibition”where visitors can discern the importance of Baekje as a cultural exchange center of the ancient East Asia. “Parade, the Great Baekje, Nation of Exchanges,” a highlight of the festival which reenacts the ancient maritime power of Baekje. In addition, more than 100 exhibitions, performances and hands-on programs are a light and entertaining way to understand and experience the history and culture of the Baekje Kingdom. The abundance of endless rice fields provided the basis of Baekje’s rich culture and created “the Great Giltbronze Incense Burner of Baekje” regarded as the essence of Baekje’s culture, “Gold Diadem Ornaments” resembling a blazing flame, “the Five-story Stone Pagoda at Jeongnimsa Temple Site”boasting a one-ofa-kind and refined beauty and “the Rock-carved Buddha Triad”carved with a simple and genial smile. It is hoped that the simple but not shabby, splendid but not extravagant, sophisticated culture and spirit of Baekje will be revived. Two commemorative stamps are to be issued.