A traditional rite to notify the ancestors has taken place at Namhansanseong, the mountain fortress south of Seoul, in honor of its registration on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre Kishore Rao brought the official certificate himself to the Namhansanseong fortress on August 28. The traditional dedication ceremony took place at the Sungyeoljeon, Gyeonggi-do Province's Tangible Cultural Property No. 2, the site where during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) all the affairs happening within the fortress were discussed.

On August 28, a dedication ceremony to inform the ancestors about the Namhansanseong fortress becoming a UNESCO World Heritage site took place according to Joseon tradition. The governor of Gyeonggi-do Province, Nam Kyung-pil (middle), Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre Kishore Rao (left of Nam) and the mayor of Gwangju City, Jo Eok-dong (right of Nam), hold up the UNESCO certificate.

Scenes from the dedication ceremony to inform the ancestors about Namhansanseong fortress being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Apart from the governor of Gyeonggi-do Province, Nam Kyung-pil, the administrator of the Cultural Heritage Administration, Rha Sun-hwa, and the director of the Korean Culture and Information Service, Won Yonggi, other related officials were also present at the dedication ceremony, bringing the total number of attendees up to about 40 people.

Although it is customary for the UNESCO World Heritage Centre to deliver UNESCO World Heritage certificates on-site, this was the first time for any UNESCO World Heritage site in Korea.

Incense was lit and offered up to the ancestors in accordance with traditional Joseon rituals, first by Governor Nam, then by Mayor Jo and finally by Director Rao.

"Through the first UNESCO World Heritage certificate delivery ceremony to be held in Korea, I was able to experience Korea's traditions and was also deeply moved by personally feeling it's important meaning," said Rao. He also expressed his hope that, "The value of the Namhansanseong fortress is not only as a precious historic asset, important to the local residents, but also as a treasure to cherish and pass on to future generations as a UNESCO World Heritage site."

By Wi Tack-whan, Paik Hyun
Korea.net Staff Writers
whan23@korea.kr