KBS Walk Expedition explores El Salvador's volcanoes and traditional festivals

The 954th episode of Walk Expedition will air on KBS 1TV on October 24, showcasing El Salvador's transformation from a dangerous nation in 2015 into a tourist destination featuring the 2,381-meter Santa Ana Volcano and the century-old Bolas de Fuego de Nejapa festival.

The 954th episode of Walk Expedition, titled "Meeting the World Again, El Salvador," will air on KBS 1TV on Saturday, October 24, at 9:40 AM.

In 2015, El Salvador was known as one of the most dangerous countries in the world due to its high murder rate. However, more than 10 years later, the country is transforming into a destination for tourists. Surfers from around the world gather for the rough waves of the Pacific Ocean, and majestic volcanoes offer wondrous natural scenery. Walk Expedition explores this new world of El Salvador, a nation dreaming of a new future after overcoming its painful past.

Located in western El Salvador, the Santa Ana Volcano is the highest active volcano in the country, standing at 2,381 meters above sea level. Volcanic gases rising from various spots provide a sense of the power of this living volcano. The program captures the true nature of the Santa Ana Volcano, including the magnificent mountain ranges and vast landscapes unfolding below.

Every August, the small town of Nejapa in El Salvador is engulfed in flames for the Bolas de Fuego de Nejapa, a festival boasting a tradition of over 100 years. The highlight of the festival is a fiery confrontation where participants, equipped with protective clothing and masks, throw flaming balls at one another. The sight of flaming balls cutting through the night sky and flames covering the streets is a suspenseful experience that showcases the passion of El Salvador.

With fertile soil created by volcanoes and a mild climate, El Salvador is also famous as a producer of Arabica coffee, known for its rich aroma and subtle sweetness. The La Cumbre coffee farm, located at the foot of the Santa Ana Volcano, is operated by a mother and her two sons. This farm, which has been passed down through three generations, cultivates and roasts coffee using traditional methods inherited from the grandfather. The program delves into the deep aroma of a cup of coffee that contains the sincerity and family stories maintained over many years.

In the small El Salvadoran town of San Sebastián, the hammock is a symbol of relaxed rest. Following the hammocks that connect various parts of the town reveals special stories told by this small community. Artisans, who have learned how to make hammocks since childhood, still pour their sincerity into every stitch using wooden needles and thread. More than just simple household items, hammocks have become a livelihood and a precious heritage. The program listens to the warm stories of the people contained within the colorful threads.

The Walk Expedition episode "Meeting the World Again, El Salvador," which follows a country dreaming of a new leap forward beyond its dark past, will be broadcast on KBS 1TV on Saturday, October 24, at 9:40 AM.

Read the original (Korean)