Exploration of the Musical Essence of Roots with a Contemporary Twist!

<Vocal Fever> featuring Beompae, Gagok, and Folksongs from the Gyeonggi Province

The 2025 Sori Festival brings together a variety of genres that reflect the contemporariness while preserving the essence of traditional music, under the section titled <Vocal Fever>, The section features “Beompae,” a vocal genre sung during Buddhist rituals; “Gagok,” a singing genre of traditional poems to the accompaniment of traditional instruments; and “Gyeonggi Minyo,” which means folksongs from the Gyeonggi Province. Do not miss the <Vocal Fever> that aligns perfectly with the Festival’s keyword of this year, “Echoes from the Homeland!” Audiences will be given a great opportunity to experience the unique charm of traditional vocal music of Korea.

“Beompae”: Vocal Music that Shows the Uniqueness and Artistry of Korean Buddhist Music

Venerable Donghee, an instructor for sucessor training of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Yeongsanjae, is the first female monk to attain the rank of “Eosaneojang.” “Eosan,” literally meaning “to perform ritual,” refers to Buddhist chants as a whole, and “eojang” denotes a monk who has reached the highest level in chanting. For over 70 years. Venerable Donghee has performed beompae chanting at Eosan, which has traditionally been dominated by men. In the festival stage, the audience will be able to see her both as a Buddhist seeker and an artist.

Yeongsanjae is a ceremony that represents the scene of Buddha’s preaching Beophwagyeong (the Lotus Sutra) on the Vulture Peak. The festival stage will feature some important elements of chant, instrumental play, and movements included in Yeongsanjae. The stage will offer a precious opportunity to experience the reverent and elegant sounds and bodily movements as part of truth-seeking practices that implies meditative and self-educating meanings.