[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.]

The 52nd Tamna Culture Festival was held from Wednesday, October 2nd to Sunday, October 6th in Tapdong Square. The festival’s theme this year was “Enjoy the cultural kingdom of Tamna.” The festival started with a big street parade from Samseonghyeol to Tapdong Square.

At Tapdong Square, there were many visitors such as families and students. The visitors could experience traditional things like Neolttwigi, which is a Korean seesaw, stilts, and Tuho, a game of throwing an arrow into a bottle. Also, there was a Chinese booth to inform visitors about their tradition as well. At the booth visitors could draw a Chinese cultural mask, drink something, etc.

One traditional booth was set up where visitors could write a famous poem or their own poem on a folding fan. Kim Soon -Yi, the director of the writing group ran the booth called “Writing poems on a folding fan.” She said, “Many people were interested in this booth, so we ran the booth in this festival.”

Another booth promoting Jeju culture held a program where visitors could make a “gat,” a Korean traditional hat, which is used to block sunlight or rain. There was also a booth to give information about Jeju’s diving women, the “haenyeo.” Visitors could make a haenyeo doll and learn about what the haenyeo used for collecting seafood.

However, there were some things that the festival could improve. Some booths were set up on the sidewalk on an open road. When people walked from booth to booth, the cars would nearly hit the walkers. Lee Hyun Kyung, who came with her daughter, said “I wish the road was closed, because the car can hit some people.”

For more information about the Jeju Cultural Festival, call 064-753-3287 or visit the website, www.tamnafestival.kr