The May Festival called "Daedongjae" in Korean means harmonious peace through unification. Ewha's May Festival started with this philosophy as a basis in May of 1984. Back then, the event was called, "Ewha Celebration" instead of "The May Festival." The organizer was the school staf and not the students.
In 1985, the name was changed to "Ewha Democratic May Festivla," which is the origin of the current name, "The May Festival" This was when the Student Government Association (SGA) became the organizer. Also, 1985 was when the format of the May Festival became fixed, The opening and closing ceremony started to take place on a grand scale.
The May Festival was a particulaly special event since outsiders and male students ordinarily prohibited from entering the campus were allowed to visit the school and enjoy the festival with Ewha students.
The 2005 May Festival is titled "Gorify Ewha" and the main slogan is "I ♡ Ewha." The themes of the three days are, respectively, "A March Towards Ewha," "Ewhaians' Day," and "Closing Glorify Ewha."