Yeoleumji / "Summer Heat Festival”

The most popular festival in Hwajaegi is Yeoleumji, also known as the Summer Heat Festival. During this festival, the people of Hwajaegi participate in a number of rich and vibrant activities to help them get through the hottest day of the year. Fireworks, food, liquor consumption, lantern lighting, music performances and performative arts are common events of a traditional Yeoleumji.

Execution

The King's Guard hosts a wrestling competition (see ssireum) on the day between those of any rank in the kingdom's military, since majority of the individuals serving are of ibekko heritage. Tug-of-war is another activity that is enjoyed by the populations of entire villages, so that their exertion masks the sweat of simply sweltering in the heat of the day. Each side represents one of the two parental deities, and if the side representing the Mother Goddess Balhayai succeeds in obtaining victory, it is believed to predict a bountiful summer harvest, as she was the deity of fertility and life, having sacrificed her immortal magic to give life to the fae. 
When the sun sets below the horizon, there is a spectacular fireworks display coordinated from the grounds of the palace, with smaller displays concurrently running across the kingdom so that all of its citizens are able to watch the beauty of the kingdom's element, fire, no matter their location or distance from the palace. Many of these smaller fireworks displays are conducted nearby to rivers and lakes, even on barges out on the water, as the reflection of the fireworks into the water is truly mesmerising. Typically, the fireworks coordinate with a large-scale musical performance provided by the winners of one of Hwajaegi's musical festivals throughout the previous year. Many enterainters in Hwajaegi dream of performing at the Summer Festival with the backdrop of the fireworks in time to their own music. 
After the conclusion of the fireworks demonstration, the fire elementals of Hwajaegi use their magic to light the many lanterns that people have constructed and floated onto the surface of the rivers, lakes and ponds throughout the day. Every family places at least one handmade lantern in a body of water during the festival, which is hoped to bring them luck with the summer harvests and to bring them warmth during the winter. There are also numerous vendors who sell lanterns for visitors to Hwajaegi to place into the water, each with their own "spark card" that will draw the magic of a volunteer fire elemental fae whose magic will light the lantern when the lighting ceremony commences.

Observance

The Summer Heat Festival is always observed on the day of the Summer Solstice.

Primary Related Location

Hwajaegi