Gyeongsan Gatbawi Wish-Fulfillment Festival marks 25th edition with move to city center

The Gyeongsan Culture and Tourism Foundation announced Monday that the 25th Gyeongsan Gatbawi Wish-Fulfillment Festival, one of the region's signature tourism festivals, was held over two days — Saturday and Sunday — at Onmaru Plaza of Gyeongsan Lifestyle Sports Park.

Held under the theme "A Millennium of Wishes: The Gyeongsan Gatbawi Renaissance," this year's festival marked a turning point by moving its venue to downtown Gyeongsan for the first time, breaking from 24 years of holding the event near the Gatbawi rock formation.

The festival had traditionally been staged around the public parking area in Wachon-myeon near Gatbawi, with programming centered on the site's history and religious significance.

This year, organizers preserved that identity while broadening the festival's scope — shifting from "a festival you travel to Gatbawi for" to "a festival that brings Gatbawi's wish-making culture into the everyday lives of residents."

The move to Onmaru Plaza improved accessibility for residents and families. The festival also expanded participatory activities, including hanging wish papers, stacking mini stone pagodas, walking through a wish-lantern tunnel, and experiencing temple cuisine.

Particularly notable this year were three main programs: a "Yadanbeopsok" Buddhist gathering, a healing music concert, and a wish music concert.

Choi Sang-ryong, chief executive of the Gyeongsan Culture and Tourism Foundation, said the organization would continue "connecting Gatbawi's millennium-old wish culture with Gyeongsan's arts and culture to develop a festival that both residents and tourists can share and enjoy."