This corner of Arirang Theme Hall plays the three main versions of the iconic folk song "Arirang" as well as the original. (Aisylu Akhmetzianova)

By Aisylu Akhmetzianova

Ari arirang, sseuri sserirang, arariga nat ne
Please carry me over the Arirang Pass.
Look at me, look at me, look at me;
Look at me as if I were a flower on New Year’s Eve.

This is the chorus and first verse of the Miryang version of "Arirang," with the English-language translation from Miryang City Hall's official website. 

As the nation's leading piece of folk music, "Arirang" is not merely a song but a piece of art and mirror reflecting the history, culture and heart of a nation and a specific region. The world has recognized the song's value as UNESCO in 2012 named it an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

An epic work expressing the joys and sorrows of Koreans, "Arirang" is considered to have 60 types and 3,600 versions, the most famous and widely performed being the Jeongseon, Jindo and Miryang editions.

To pass on and promote Miryang Arirang, one of the three main versions, a large festival ran from May 23-26 at Miryang Yeongnamnu Pavilion and around the Miryanggang River in Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, under the theme "Yeongnamnu Pavilion's Dream Becomes Miryang Arirang's Light."

The event also commemorated Yeongnamnu's restoration to a national treasure after 60 years; the pavilion represents the roots and identity of Miryang. Marking its 66th edition this year, the festival is popular both at home and abroad as a government-designated cultural tourism gala and one of the top 100 regional cultural attractions for eight consecutive years.

Korea.net covered the festival on its opening day of May 23. Even from afar, the staff could feel the excitement by hearing the delicate melody. As a leading provincial event with a long history, the event exuded the pride and affection of the people who prepared it.

The some 40 programs included "Arirang Maze," "Arirang Wonderland" and "Arirang Uniting the People." Other highlights were Arirang Theme Hall and the musical "Miryanggang River Odyssey."

First, Korea.net checked out the outdoor concert venue with the theme hall, which had photos and inscriptions and hosted a "mini-gugak (traditional music) fusion concert" and "retro photo zone." The long history of Miryang Arirang, the festival and Yeongnamnu, which was the theme of this year's festival, were shown. 

Though it was a weekday afternoon, the venue along the river was packed with visitors thanks to an abundance of programs for all ages. 

"I experienced all that I could and the programs were diverse and fun," said Lee Ye-lim, a 20-something visitor from Daegu, with a smile. "I especially liked having so much food available."

Visitors on May 23 look around the promotional interactive booths at this year's Miryang Arirang Festival. (Aisylu Akhmetzianova)

The 83 promotional interactive booths were also popular. Visitors looked happy making dolls, wearing Hanbok (traditional clothes) and playing traditional foreign games.

When night descended, people began to gather to the concert hall apparently intent on seeing the musical "Miryanggang River Odyssey," the highlight of the festival. Set at Yeongnamnu Pavilion and the river, the 90-minute performance featured a multimedia show and residents as the cast to present the region's history.

The musical "Stars' Song" recounted heartwarming stories of the heroes who made Miryang shine such Gen. Park Jin, a regional government official and hero of the Battle of Jakwongwan during the Imjin Waeran, or a series of Japanese invasions of the Korean Peninsula in the late 16th century; Kim Yubu, who fought while carrying his elderly mother during the conflict; Hyun Jeong-geon, a pro-independence activist and lover of Hyun Gye-ok, the sole female member of the pro-independence group Uiyeoldan (Heroic Corps) in the early 20th century; Yoon Se-joo, the soul of Uiyeoldan, the Korean National Revolutionary Party and Chosun (Korean) Volunteer Army; and poet and independence activist Yi Yuksa. 

The musical "Miryanggang River Odyssey," the highlight of this year's Miryang Arirang Festival, on May 23 is performed at night. (Miryang Culture and Tourism Foundation)

Attracting 410,000 visitors to rave reviews, this year's festival offered in one place the chance to experience the history and culture of Miryang through its beautiful and rich melody "Arirang."

aisylu@korea.kr