▲ ICOMOS members present at the ritual

Goyuje, a ritual to make the designation of the Baekje Historic Areas as UNESCO World Heritage known to the gods of heaven and ancestors, was performed on October 2, 2015 at Jeongnimsa Temple Site in Buyeo.

Themed “Open the Door to the Thousand Years of Ancient Kingdom Baekje,” the ritual, which was jointly hosted by the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea and five local governments involved in the registration and organized by Chungcheongnam-do and Buyeo-gun, was attended by over 2,000 people including representatives of local governments, Korean National Commission for UNESCO, and ICOMOS.

The ritual came on the heels of the ceremony held on September 22 at the Mireuksa Temple Site in Iksan to celebrate the registration. The ritual held to commemorate the listing of the Baekje Historic Areas as World Heritage consisted of a series of traditional ceremonial performances that signified the reporting of registration to Baekje ancestors who left behind a splendid cultural heritage as a result of the 1,400 years’ history of Baekje.

Before the ritual began, pre-ritual performances took place, including the Baekje King’s Procession that ran from Miseongsamgeori Intersection in Buyeo-eup, Buyeo-gun to Jeongnimsa Temple Site, showing of a film on the Baekje Historic Areas, musical performance of five Baekje instruments, and Mimaji Talchum (Mask Dance of Mimaji).

The ritual was opened by a commemorative speech by the Buyeo County Leader, followed by the welcome remarks by the Governor of Chungcheongnam-do and congratulatory remarks by the heads of other local governments.

“I am deeply honored to let the gods of heaven and our ancestors know that the Baekje Historic Areas have been listed as World Heritage here at Jeongnimsa Temple Site, the center of Baekje Kingdom, and we will actively engage in constructive and forward-looking discussions on how we can ensure the best care for preservation and utilize the historic areas to ensure that they remain our proud cultural heritage for many generations to come,” the Buyeo County Leader Lee Yong-woo said in his speech.

Governor An Heejung of Chungcheongnam-do acted as Choheongwan, a leading officiant who offers the first cup of liquor in an ancestral ritual. The liquor offering was followed by Ssitgimgut (Purification Ritual), offering of sacrifices and flowers, burning of incense, and bowing. The sacrifices offered at the rituals were local specialty products produced in 15 cities and counties of Chuncheongnam-do and in Iksan, making the ritual all the more special and meaningful. The ritual was closed with the performance of five Baekje instruments and a fusion performance by Chungnam Korean Traditional Music Orchestra.