Gangneung Danoje

Gangneung Danoje (Gangneung Dano Festival) is a local festival in Korea which is selected as the 13th Important Intangible Cultural Properties of Korea next to Jinju geommu. It culminates on the fifth day of the fifth month of the year according to the lunisolar calendar, in Gangneung, Gangwon Province. However, the festival, including preparations such as making special alcohol actually takes 45 days in total. Danoje referred to Suritnal which means the highest day and the God's day. Gangneung Danoje has the longest history among Korean local festivals and its main purpose is to worship the guardian spirit of a mountain which protects the town and pray for the peace of the town and all families and prosperity of farming. It is designated as part of South Korea's Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO on November 25, 2005.