Majungmul Ritual Performance

at Cittaslow International Assembly 2025  in cittaslow Wando, Corea

At the Cittaslow International Assembly 2025, held in cittaslow Wando, Corea from June 19th (Thu) to 21st(Sun), there was a ceremony of Majungmul* (priming water) performance like very cittaslow style. Cittaslow mayors and coordinators from each national network who attended assembly around the world brought water from their towns to assembly venue, Wando (Refer to attached photos). Majungmul in Corean (priming water in English) means the combined water(合水: a symbol of convergence and harmony with people, water, and local from cittaslow countries) and it was pumped up to be supplied to the "Wando horned holly tree“(Wando’s native species bonsai tree) by some representatives among cittaslow delegates with elementary school students in Wando.

*Majungmul: The first water poured to raise water when pumping (meaning a new beginning)

Water, no matter what kind of water it is in the world, is the source of all life and the most essential sustenance for humans. Water is a masterpiece of nature, we cannot live without it, and its healing powers always have a divine quality. Water falls from the heaven, so its sacredness is indescribable. This precious water is polluted by human greed and greenhouse effect, and it faces crisis of water and ocean, even threatens the death of marine life and human existence. In other words, this majungmul performance was a ritual ceremony that expressed fostered love and awe-inspiring for precious water.