230th Anniversary of Suwon Hwaseong Completion, Special Exhibition…Banghwa Suryujeong Plaque Rubbing Revealed

The Suwon Hwaseong Museum will hold a special exhibition titled 'Suwon Hwaseong, A Thousand-Year Project Accomplished with the People' in the planned exhibition hall from the 30th through December 13 to commemorate the 230th anniversary of the completion of Suwon Hwaseong.

This exhibition illuminates the process and significance of King Jeongjo and the people joining forces to construct Suwon Hwaseong, as well as the process of inheriting its historical value after completion, through related artifacts and records. This year marks the 230th anniversary of Suwon Hwaseong's completion and the 250th anniversary of King Jeongjo's enthronement, and 2027 will mark the 30th anniversary of Suwon Hwaseong's inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The exhibition is organized around four themes: ▲From King Jeongjo's Construction Plans to Completion ▲Contributors to the Construction ▲Comfort and Encouragement, Celebrations Shared Together ▲Inheritors of a Great Achievement.

Visitors can examine the process by which King Jeongjo promoted the construction of Suwon Hwaseong while observing the difficulties of the people, the construction involving numerous officials and craftsmen, the completion ceremony commemorating the finished fortress, and the efforts to carry forward the value of Suwon Hwaseong.

Major exhibition artifacts include ▲The 1794 'Yuneeum' (Royal Proclamation) that temporarily halted the construction of Hwaseong to provide relief to people suffering from famine ▲A rubbing of the original 'Banghwa Suryujeong Plaque' written by Jo Yun-hyeong ▲The 'Hwaseong Seongyeok Uigwe' (Record of the Construction of Hwaseong), documenting the entire construction process (National Heritage Treasure and UNESCO Memory of the World) ▲A 'Portrait of Chae Je-gong' (National Heritage Treasure), who served as Chief Minister of Hwaseong Construction Office.

A rubbing of the original 'Banghwa Suryujeong Plaque' is being publicly revealed for the first time at this exhibition. It is a material that allows one to confirm the calligraphy of Jo Yun-hyeong, a renowned calligrapher of the late Joseon period who wrote the inscriptions for Jangan Gate and Paldal Gate during construction, and is held by Pilgyeongjae.

An immersive video 'Let Us Hold a Celebration for All to Enjoy!—Completion Ceremony' recreating the completion ceremony held to commemorate the finish of Suwon Hwaseong, based on historical records of the time and museum models, will also be presented. Additionally, academic conferences and special lectures in connection with the exhibition are scheduled to be held in October and November, respectively.

The exhibition can be viewed at the Suwon Hwaseong Museum's planned exhibition hall. The museum is closed every Monday.

An official from the Suwon Hwaseong Museum stated, "Suwon Hwaseong is a precious cultural heritage created by King Jeongjo's vision and the sweat and effort of the people," and added, "We hope this exhibition becomes an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of yeomindongnak (sharing joy with the people) embedded in the construction of Suwon Hwaseong and the value of Suwon Hwaseong that continues to this day."