Jongmyo Daeje (Royal Ancestral Rite at Jongmyo Shrine)

About the Festival

Held at Jongmyo Main Hall, imbued with five hundred years of history, the Jongmyo Daeje features solemn ritual music and dance, taking place amidst the sublime resonance of a UNESCO-recognized World Heritage site. It is a memorial ritual honoring the spirit tablets of the kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty.Restored in 1969 and continuing its legacy to this day, it is a comprehensive ritual combining the dignified ceremonies, dance, and music of the royal court. Its cultural value was recognized, leading to its inscription on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2001. Since 2006, it has been held as an international event, inviting domestic and foreign guests, drawing attention from people worldwide.Every first Sunday of May, it is a special opportunity to witness the Jongmyo Daeje, a harmonious blend of the Joseon royal court's dignified rituals, music, and dance.