The Culture, Sports and Tourism Ministry has chosen 44 national culture and tourism festivals for this year.

The ministry will spend 6.5 billion won to foster and vitalize cultural festivals this year, of which 1.6 billion won will each go to the Boryeong Mud Festival and the Andong International Mask Dance Festival.

Eight other events including the Geumsan Ginseng Festival and the Hampyeong Butterfly Festival will each get 300 million won.

The ministry also told provincial and municipal governments to avoid hosting festivals having overlapping programs and characteristics.

Government financial aid will also go to the selected festivals up to three times only to bolster competitiveness.