North Chungcheong to host traditional music, arts festival next month

The 2025 Yeongdong World Traditional Music & Arts Expo will take place for a month starting Sept. 12 at the Yeongdong Rainbow Healing Tourism Complex in Yeongdong, North Chungcheong Province. The Yeongdong Korean Classical Music Experience Village is also set to host side events in the city’s northwest area of Simcheon.

Gugak refers to Korea’s traditional music, and a provincial official said in a press release that the event aims to present gugak not merely as a cultural artifact but as a globally viable content platform under the theme, “The Fragrance of Gugak Colors the World.”

The festival is expected to feature a wide array of performances, exhibitions and interactive programs that blend traditional music with modern interpretations.

The expo will open with a parade, followed by an air show by the Republic of Korea Air Force 53rd Air Demonstration Group. A traditional royal ceremony will also be held during the opening event.

Pansori artist Nam Sang-il, festival ambassadors Park Ae-ri and Kim Da-hyun, and with various bands, including Leenalchi, will also perform.

The opening ceremony is to be followed by relay performances of 11 national gugak orchestras and six university gugak ensembles over nine days, starting on the second day of the expo.

Renowned artists such as Yang Bang-ean, Kim Deok-su and Lee Hee-moon will also perform along with traditional intangible heritage acts like the Bukcheong lion dance and tightrope walking. Additionally, in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korean and Japan, joint performances with Japanese artists will be presented.

Thirty countries, including Costa Rica and Greece, will also participate with cultural showcases and performances.

The official said visitors can engage with various hands-on programs at the venue’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience Zone and Outdoor Experience Zone. Activities include traditional instrument and craft workshops and opportunities to experience the music, clothing and crafts of participating countries.

The venue’s Gugak Industry Promotion Center, divided into three sections, will spotlight gugak’s potential as a modern cultural industry. Exhibits will highlight instrument making, music publishing and stage design. An art market will connect new gugak artists with agencies and buyers, while institutions like the National Gugak Center and Gugak Broadcasting System will showcase collaborative initiatives.

Dedicated exhibition halls such as the Gugak Theme Hall, Global Music Culture Hall and Future Gugak Hall will explore the history, global relevance and technological future of gugak. Features include immersive media art, artificial intelligence and augmented reality experiences and interactive global instrument displays.

The official added that the 30-day event is expected to attract 1 million visitors, and parking for over 4,600 personal vehicles and 200 buses has been secured. Four shuttle routes will be in operation and various accommodation options — including hotels, temple stays and youth centers — have been arranged.