3rd World Arte Festival brings 150 global artists to Jeongseon
Dancers perform at a previous World Arte Festival in Jeongseon, Gangwon Province. Courtesy of World Arte Festival
The mountain village of Ararichon in Jeongseon, Gangwon County, will transform into a vibrant stage for international artistic exchange and healing programs from Aug. 1 to 3, as the World Arte Festival welcomes over 150 artists from 22 countries under the slogan, “Hear the World, Heal the World.”
Now in its third year, the festival was founded by Company Deullim CEO Choi Youn-young, a musician, entrepreneur and cultural visionary who has dedicated her life to preserving and modernizing Korea’s rich folk heritage. A folk singer from Korea's southeastern Gyeongsang region, she won the grand prize in the folk song category at the KBS Korean Traditional Music Awards in 2015 and 2018.
A previous World Arte Festival in Jeongseon, Gangwon Province / Courtesy of World Arte Festival
Music director Sun-jae Clemente Min told The Korea Times that the festival features exhibitions of visual and performing arts to foster a deeper sense of collaboration, with artists from Japan, Bangladesh, Colombia and Germany among the many invited. The festival invites about 150 artists each year, including musicians, painters, performers and creators, who collaborate across genres and mediums.
According to Min, one of the unique highlights is the annual collaborative production, in which artists co-create new musical works rooted in the "Jeongseon Arirang," a beloved Korean folk melody. By improvising and blending traditional instruments from around the world with technologies like artificial intelligence, they create a collective voice that honors both heritage and innovation.
Dancers perform at a previous World Arte Festival in Jeongseon, Gangwon Province. Courtesy of World Arte Festival
The organizers say their project’s heart lies in building solidarity among traditional musicians, both professionals and those still struggling for recognition. Over the years, nearly 400 artists have participated, creating a global network that transcends boundaries.
Beyond performances, the festival also includes interactive workshops, exhibitions, yoga and meditation sessions, inviting the general public to engage with art as healing. This fusion of culture, wellness and artistic experimentation creates a dynamic multidisciplinary platform.
People make folk crafts at a previous World Arte Festival in Jeongseon, Gangwon Province. Courtesy of World Arte Festival
One of the performing artists is DJ Konrad Becker, a German who has been living in Korea since 2015 and DJing here since 2016. Over the years, he has expanded his repertoire, focusing mostly on rare tracks from the 1960-80s, while also moving into electronic genres like dub, ambient and house.
“I was contacted by the organizers, who wanted to involve more DJs for this year's event," he said. "Personally I prefer smaller, intimate festivals, and I liked the feel and vision of the festival. I am also looking forward to visiting Jeongseon. I love Gangwon Province because it reminds me of my hometown, and Jeongseon in particular has come highly recommended.”
Becker said he's coming to the festival without many expectations, and is simply looking forward to having a unique, memorable experience. “Of course, I am also excited and a bit anxious about collaborating with new people from various backgrounds," he said. "As a DJ, I mostly work by myself and with other DJs, so collaborating with artists from different fields can feel a bit daunting, but I think as long as I just go with the flow, it will be a great experience. Overall, I like that the main focus of the festival is to create something together, so I am sure there will be a lot to learn and enjoy.”
A poster for the World Arte Festival / Courtesy of World Arte Festival
Supported by the Jeongseon Arirang Foundation and Jeongseon DMO, the 2025 World Arte Festival is set to become a powerful symbol of international solidarity through the universal language of art.
Visit noninaworld.com/25festival or follow @world_arte_festival on Instagram for more information.
Bereket Alemayehu is an Ethiopian photo artist, social activist and writer based in Seoul. He's also the co-founder of Hanokers, a refugee-led social initiative and freelance contributor for Pressenza Press Agency.