▲ Photo by Able Team

[This article is written by a JDC Junior Journalist. The JDC Junior Journalist program is an educational project sponsored by Jeju Free International City Development Corporation (JDC). JDC Junior Journalist articles are only briefly edited by mentors before publishing.]

This year’s 52nd Tamna Cultural Festival was held October 6th in Tapdong Square. It began in 1962 and is Jeju’s oldest cultural festival. Originally, it was called the Jeju Art Festival but changed its name to what it is called today. What has not changed is its tradition of keeping Jeju’s cultural history alive.

At this year’s festival there were many booths introducing different aspects of the Jeju culture to those who attended. There were many performances by elementry and high school students. The students enacted traditional Jeju songs and dances.

Lee Dong Su, a teacher from Dae Jeong Girl’s High School said, “Our school comes here every year to participate. I think the advantage of this festival is that students can make the project by themselves and show it to other people.”

Song Jong won, a craftsman who has been making Dolharubangs (traditional stone statues) for 50 years was asked to attend the festival and share his craftmanship with attendees. He said, “This is a festival introducing Jeju’s culture and I think Jeju’s culture has to be known truthfully and not be distorted.”

Kang Soon ja, deemed an important intagible cultural asset by UNESCO, was also at the festival. She has been making Gat, a traditioanl hat, for 38 years. She explained that it takes a long time to make a Gat and the work is divided among four people. She is one of the four.

Since the Tamna Cultrual Festival began in 1962, its purpose of preserving Jeju’s cultural history is considered the most important theme of the festival. As Jeju is becoming more widely known around the world, the Tamna Cultural Festival will play a part in maintaining the the rich history of Jeju.