Jirisan’s Hwaeomsa Temple concludes 21st cultural Festival, Vows Expanded Arts Focus
Gurye, South Korea – The 21st Hwaeom Cultural Festival drew to a close October 12th at Hwaeomsa Temple on Mount Jiri, showcasing a blend of customary arts and modern community engagement. Approximately 200 participants from nine teams across the Gurye region competed in a lively e-gun line dance competition held in front of the temple’s Bojeru pavilion.
The annual festival, a cornerstone of cultural preservation in the region, featured a rare public viewing of National Treasure No. 301, the Gwaebul hanging Buddha, unveiled for the occasion. This year’s event signals a broader ambition for Hwaeomsa Temple: to evolve into a dynamic cultural hub for the next century. Parish head Monk Wooseok affirmed the temple’s commitment, stating Hwaeomsa will “expand and create a wider cultural space…as a temple that creates culture.” The festival’s success underscores the temple’s growing role in fostering both artistic expression and community spirit within the Jirisan region.
