Gyeongsan Gatbawi Wish Fulfillment Festival

The '25th Gyeongsan Gatbawi Wish Fulfillment Festival' is a festival that embodies the long tradition of prayer and wish fulfillment associated with the national treasure, the 'Seated Stone Buddha Statue of Gwanbong (Gatbawi) on Palgongsan Mountain in Gyeongsan.' Held under the slogan 'Gyeongsan Gatbawi Renaissance: A Thousand-Year Wish Sanctuary,' this participatory cultural festival blends traditional culture with modern performances and will take place for two days from September 19 to 20 in the area around the Gatbawi 3rd Public Parking Lot. On September 19, the event kicks off with a grand Buddhist service featuring rock band and Gakseori performances, Dharma talks, sound meditation, and vocal offerings. The opening ceremony will feature a performance of offering 'Wish Bibimbap' for harmony, followed by a healing music concert where traditional musician Nam Sang-il and singers Ra.D & Jung In will deliver a diverse resonance. On September 20, the Gyeongsan City Symphony Orchestra, Baritone Kim Dong-gyu, Soprano Kang Hye-jeong, and the Gyeongsan City Choir will collaborate to present a high-quality mountain temple concert. At the venue, experiential programs will be held for citizens and tourists to participate in and find healing, including a temple run, a temple food demonstration by Monk Hongseung, and hanging personalized wish lanterns. With sales booths for Gyeongsan agricultural products, including the region's representative specialty 'Wachon Plums,' and a food market set up, this is Gyeongsan City's representative festival that wishes for everyone's wishes to come true amidst an abundance of food and entertainment.