A large-scale five-color bibimbap performance at the festival. [Bonghwa-gun]
A large-scale five-color bibimbap performance at the festival. [Bonghwa-gun]

The 30th Bonghwa Pine Mushroom Festival, heralding autumn in North Gyeongsang Province's Bonghwa-gun, opened Thursday along the Naeseongcheon River in Bonghwa-eup.

Running under the slogan "Thirty years of deep fragrance, coloring Bonghwa," the four-day festival continues through Sunday, combining Bonghwa pine mushrooms, Bonghwa herbal beef, local agricultural specialties and traditional cultural events into an autumn food festival.

This year, organizers have introduced a range of discount programs and food offerings to help visitors enjoy Bonghwa pine mushrooms without financial strain, taking into account a decline in the mushroom harvest and rising prices.

Visitors can purchase Bonghwa Love gift vouchers at the festival grounds at a 12 percent discount, up to a monthly limit of 500,000 won ($374). A "One Mushroom Time Auction" held three times daily starts bidding at 1,000 won per mushroom, and guerrilla on-site events feature mini-games where participants can win pine mushroom purchase discount coupons.

"Naeseongcheon Pine Mushroom Ramyun" — a bowl of ramyun topped with pine mushroom priced at 5,000 won — has also been drawing considerable attention from visitors.

Making its debut this year, the "Pine Mushroom & Bonghwa Herbal Beef Square" brings together a pine mushroom marketplace, a Bonghwa herbal beef promotional hall and sales area, and a large dining hall under one roof. Space for selling and promoting local agricultural products — including umbrella mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms and Bonghwa apples — has also been expanded.

New attractions include "Sol-hyang Seorun Namu," a large tree-shaped rest shelter inspired by the Chunyang pine; "Pine Mushroom Gardening," a hands-on nature experience space; and "Seoreu Soop-gil," a forest path making use of the Naeseongcheon stepping-stone bridge.

On opening day, a 500-serving bibimbap sharing event made with Bonghwa produce was held alongside a traditional Korean music performance. The evening opening ceremony featured a screening marking the festival's 30th anniversary, followed by celebratory performances by Baek Ji-young, Byun Jin-sub, Kim Na-young and Lil Boi, and a fireworks show.

A reenactment of the Samgye tug-of-war during the Cheongnyyang Cultural Festival. [Bonghwa-gun]
A reenactment of the Samgye tug-of-war during the Cheongnyyang Cultural Festival. [Bonghwa-gun]

The 43rd Cheongnyyang Cultural Festival, showcasing Bonghwa's traditional culture, is also running alongside the main event. Programs throughout the festival period include a reenactment of the Samgye tug-of-war, a classical Chinese poetry gathering, a chess tournament, a small concert and a Bobusang merchant troupe performance.

Choi Ki-young, chairman of the Bonghwa Festival and Tourism Foundation, said organizers had prepared a range of benefits and programs so visitors could sample and purchase Bonghwa pine mushrooms without burden despite a difficult harvest season. "We hope this festival will provide farmers and residents with real sales opportunities, and visitors with an abundance of food and entertainment," he said.


kbj7653@heraldcorp.com