Anseong opens Korea, China, Japan cultural exchange events

Members of Namsadang Baudeogi, a traditional Korean performing arts troupe, perform at the opening ceremony for the 2025 Culture City of East Asia event in Macao, March 23. Courtesy of Anseong City Government

Anseong City hosted the opening ceremony of the 2025 Culture City of East Asia events on Friday, as part of an initiative to promote cultural exchange and strengthen cooperation among Korea, China and Japan, the city in Gyeonggi Province announced Sunday.

Since the culture ministers of Korea, China and Japan reached an agreement in 2012, the three countries have annually designated a city with a distinct local culture from each nation as a Culture City of East Asia, starting in 2014. The designation fosters diverse cultural exchanges and collaborations.

For 2025, the designated Culture Cities of East Asia are Anseong, approximately 70 kilometers south of Seoul; Huzhou and Macao of China; and Kamakura of Japan. The recent event held in Anseong was organized by Anseong City and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

During the opening ceremony, Namsadang Baudeogi, a traditional Korean performing arts troupe, presented a vibrant "pungmulnori," a Korean percussion music and dance performance.

Performing groups from China showcased a traditional dragon dance and Japan presented a Nogaku traditional theatrical performance, according to the city. The celebration also featured performances by the Anseong children's choir, the musical group Harmonize and singer Gummy, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Anseong had already participated in the Culture City of East Asia events in March, held in Macao, where it promoted Korean culture.

"Through the Culture City of East Asia project, we anticipate discovering the unique and original cultural and artistic content of each region and fostering mutual understanding and friendship through active regional cultural exchange among the three countries," said Yune Yang-su, director of the culture ministry's International Cultural Affairs and Public Relations Office.

"The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will actively support the promotion of diverse exchange projects to broaden the scope of international cultural exchange among the three nations."

Starting with the opening ceremony, Anseong City plans to host a variety of cultural exchange events, including the traditional performing arts festival of the three countries, a trilateral food competition, joint performances and concerts by artists from the three nations and a youth exchange program.

As part of this annual trilateral cultural exchange the city will also hold the East Asia Handmade Festival at Anseong Machum Land in May.