Opening the festival, which is Korea's oldest celebrated folk event, Gangneung citizens and visitors joined the Yeongsin Parade, which passed through the city centre, specially wishing for the success of the Pyeongchang 2018 bid.

The Gangneung Danoje - Dano Festival - designated by UNESCO as one of the world's "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity", is Korea's oldest celebrated folk holiday and a Korean traditional holiday that falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar.

The festival worships the sky deity in celebration of the end of the sowing season and this year's theme was communication and harmony.

This year, more than 130,000 visitors, from Korea and abroad, visited Gangneung for the eight-day festival.

International performance teams, including China's Sichuan Opera, Mongol's Mongolian Melody, and Japan's Gamigaki Sagat ritualistic dance, were also invited to perform, while the Ssireum competition - Korean wrestling - and many games were also open for tourist participation.

Yang Ho Cho, the chairman and chief executive of Pyeongchang 2018, said: "Once again, the people of Gangneung showed their passion for the Pyeongchang 2018 bid by showing their support at this important festival.

"Gangwon Province is full of Korean cultural tradition.

"It would be a great pleasure and honour for us to have the opportunity to share our cultural riches and the dynamic attractions of modern Korea, as well as the Korean enthusiasm for winter sports, with the Olympic Family and visitors from around the world in 2018."

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