Since local governments were established in Korea 1995, the number of domestic festivals has been increasing rapidly. The festivals have been used as a political means by heads of local government or as a way to activate the local economy by attractin...
Since local governments were established in Korea 1995, the number of domestic festivals has been increasing rapidly. The festivals have been used as a political means by heads of local government or as a way to activate the local economy by attracting many tourists. However, economic development is a necessary, but not sufficient condition for regional development. While local festivals have played an important role in reflecting society and culture, and boosting tourism and the economy, they play an arguably even more important role in reflecting historical and cultural identities. Therefore, it is noted that local festivals should be formed and evaluated of focusing on the particular and unique characteristics of each festival, rather than by focusing on uniform economic standards.
Based on such recognition and theories, the aims of this study are to examine how a local festival has changed and how it is seen by both local and non-local residents. For this purpose, Hwangtohyun Donghak Festival in Jeongeup will be dealt with as a specific case. In this study, it will be investigated how this local festival is different from other festivals and which functions this festival has been held for.
Two methods are chosen in this study. One is quantitative research in which festival visitors are surveyed through interview. The other is qualitative research, in which the programs of the festival are analyzed and the festival organizers are interviewed. Through this analysis, it will be considered if the programs of the festival reflect history education objectives, unlike other tourism festivals.
The first main hypothesis of this study is that to local inhabitants, the expectation of general effect to areas such as society, culture, tourism, and economy will be higher in terms of participation motivation, program satisfaction, and evaluation of the festival, whereas the expectation of history education effects will be relatively higher to non-local inhabitants.
The second hypothesis is that Hwangtohyun Donghak Festival will be able to attract tourists by including universal programs for tourism festivals as well as history education programs.
In this study, it is shown that festival planners have focused on attaining history education effect, and history education contents are included in the program. In addition, local residents have higher expectation about the general effect of festivals, while non-local residents have much more interest on the history education effect. By attracting many tourists with programs such as performance and experience, which are included in most festivals, the festival can accomplish the function of history education effect.
Lastly, in addition, this paper suggests some programs that Hwangtohyun Donghak Festival could include to achieve history education purposes. This paper shows that non-local residents have higher expectations of history education effect than local residents, as well.