Seorak Cultural Festival

About the festival

The Seolak Cultural Festival is a representative local cultural festival of Sokcho that has continued since the first Seolak Festival in 1966. It is a festival that encompasses the history and culture centered around Seolak-san, as well as the lives and stories of the citizens of Sokcho. This year, marking its 61st edition, the theme is 'Seolak, Together in Color,' reflecting on the traditions and history of the past 60 years, and taking a step further as a festival where citizens and tourists participate together to create new stories. While inheriting the identity of the long-standing Seolak Cultural Festival, it aims to present a new version of the festival through diverse programs that allow citizens to become the protagonists and participate directly. In particular, it will reflect on the historical significance of 'Seolakso Temple,' which has been the central ritual of the festival since the first Seolak Festival, and will be organized to help citizens and tourists understand and empathize more easily by adding explanations and storytelling to traditional rites. Additionally, the 'Seolak Climbing Competition,' which inherits the mountain culture that started the Seolak Cultural Festival, will feature the Seolak-san climbing competition on the non-open trail of Dalma-bong and a Seolak-san music concert, allowing participants to enjoy the beautiful autumn of Seolak. The representative program of the festival, the 'Street Parade,' will be a citizen harmony parade in which local residents, clubs, schools, and cultural and artistic organizations participate directly. The festival will take place on the stage of Rodeogeo-ri, where citizens of all generations and regions come together, offering the joy of the Seolak Cultural Festival that goes beyond just watching to actively creating and participating. Alongside this, various cultural and artistic performances, including citizen harmony programs such as 'Sokcho! Cheerful Sports Day,' performances by local arts organizations, fringe performances, and club festivals, will be held at the Sokcho Expo Lawn Square. Programs that the whole family can enjoy, such as local cultural experiences and children's playgrounds, will also be prepared, and the 'Seolak Rodeo Street Revitalization Project' and 'Sokcho Cultural City Gourmet Week' will be linked to enrich the joy of the festival even more. The Seolak Cultural Festival, which has continued for 61 years, is now starting a new time and story.

Source: Korea Tourism Organization · TourAPI