Floating Lanterns on Jinju Nam River
By Shim Hyun-chul
Staff Reporter
The Nam River cuts through the city of Jinju in South Gyeongsang Province. It’s where Nongae, a Korean gisaeng, or female entertainer similar to a Japanese geisha, threw herself into the water, tightly clutching a Japanese general during the Imjin Wars.
On this river, where Nongae’s loyalty to Korea still flows, candy-color lanterns float along the river between the Jinju Bridge and the Cheonsu Bridge during the annual Flowing Lantern Festival.
In mid-October every year, the city of Jinju in South Gyeongsang Province hosts the Flowing Lantern Festival on the Nam River.
This year, it is scheduled from Oct. 1-14. During this period, about 50,000 lamps will light up Jinju, illuminating its painful past as well as its glories.
The festival, which was selected as the best cultural travel festival, boasts more than 2 million visitors every year. It has its origins in the Battle of Jinju Fortress during the Imjin War.
In October 1592, General Kim Si-min raised a torch in the sky and floated lamplights along the river to send military signals to loyal troops and outer support forces outside the fortress. The floating lanterns were used not only as a tactical device to deter Japanese troops crossing the Nam but also to send messages to the families of Korean soldiers.
Later, the lanterns were floated to commemorate the lives lost during the long war. In 1949, the longstanding custom turned into a floating lantern play, and from 2002 it grew into the regional festival it is today.
During the festival, the Battle of the Jinju Fortress is reenacted with fully costumed soldiers, fire arrows, water cannons and a volley of rifles.
Near Euiam Rock, the place Nongae jumped from, a floating lantern for Nongae stands. Various other floating lanterns -- ones that characterize folk tales, caricatures and floating lanterns from around the world -- will be seen near the Nam River and Jinju Castle.
There are many events for visitors, including a chance to make your own floating lantern. The festival continues through Sunday.
For more information, visit www.yudeung.com or call 055) 755-9111.
