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At Andong’s 2026 Chajeonjanggun Nogukgongju Festival, organizers staged a celebration that married the region’s Confucian ideal of filial piety (孝) with the lively “heung” of its older residents.
On May 4, beginning at 11 a.m., Andong City presented “Connecting Three Generations” — the 15th Andong Yangroyeon — and “Always Young” — the Silver Song Festival — on the festival stage.
The Andong Yangroyeon reinterprets the spirit of the gireoyeon (耆老宴), a banquet Nongam Lee Hyun-bo hosted in 1519 to honor residents aged 80 and older while serving as magistrate of Andong.
The reenacted Yangroyeon gathered 60 first-generation elders, 40 members of a homemakers’ education program, and 30 children, bringing three generations together to reinforce intergenerational communication and harmony.
The program opened with a Cosmos saxophone performance, followed by a heonju (獻酒) ceremonial toast from Acting Mayor Bae Yong-su and City Council Chair Kim Kyung-do, who offered their thanks to the elders.
Particularly moving were moments when the youngest generation gave elders “filial massages” on their shoulders and, in return, the elders handed out lucky pouches — a warm exchange that embodied the event’s aim of connecting three generations.
At noon, the Silver Song Festival kept up the momentum as elders showcased hidden talents.
Under the theme “Enjoying Old Age in the Era of 100 Years,” seasoned performers who advanced from rigorous preliminaries delivered vocal power and stage presence that rivaled younger acts.
Prizes were awarded across seven categories, including a top prize of 500,000 KRW (about $375), turning the event into a jubilant celebration where every participating elder felt like a star.
An Andong city official said, “We are honored to carry on the traditional Yangroyeon’s spirit by showing respect and courtesy to our elders and by creating a space where all generations can smile together. We will do our utmost to help elders take pride in, and enjoy, active later years.”
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