Eve celebration for the '2026 World Gyeongju Forum'… regional Arirangs from Mungyeong, Yeongcheon, Ulleungdo, and more gathered in one place
Traditional musician Oh Jung-hae appointed as Gyeongsangbuk-do Arirang Goodwill Ambassador

The Gyeongbuk Culture & Tourism Corporation is hosting the ‘Gyeongbuk Arirang Festival’ at Gyeongju Expo Grand Park at 7:00 PM on the 7th to commemorate the opening of the ‘2026 World Gyeongju Forum.’

This event serves as the eve celebration performance for the World Gyeongju Forum, which will take place on the 8th and 9th. Admission is completely free, and anyone can attend without prior registration. The festival offers a rare opportunity to appreciate traditional Arirang melodies handed down across various regions of Gyeongbuk all in one place.

The event kicks off with a pre-performance titled ‘Sound of a Thousand Years’ by the Gyeongju City Silla Traditional Orchestra, followed by ‘Pangut and Lion’s Traditional Orchestra’ by Noritgomdae and the Performance Group Jaebi, as well as a tightrope walking performance ('Woejultagi') by Nam Chang-dong and Nam Hae-yong.

A full-scale feast of melodies will then unfold. Composer Lee Jung-ho and the Soul Dance Company will present ‘Korean Peninsula Arirang,’ while traditional musicians Oh Jung-hae, Lee Bom, and Choi Yi-jung will perform Arirang alongside the Sunjae Children’s Choir’s rendition of ‘Solo Arirang.’

Subsequently, cast members from the Mungyeong Saejae, Yeongcheon, and Ulleungdo Arirang Preservation Societies will gather on stage to deliver the deep resonance of their local folk sounds.

Following its inaugural Arirang festival last year in celebration of its 50th anniversary, the Gyeongbuk Culture & Tourism Corporation is appointing traditional musician Oh Jung-hae as the Gyeongbuk Arirang Goodwill Ambassador this year, aiming to foster regional Arirang as a unique tourism asset.

Kim Nam-il, President of the Gyeongbuk Culture & Tourism Corporation, stated, “The year 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the release of director Na Un-gyu’s film ‘Arirang.’ With BTS incorporating Arirang melodies into tracks on their 5th full-length album ‘ARIRANG,’ inspiring mass sing-alongs and a sea of Taegeukgi flags worldwide, Arirang is being spotlighted anew as a representative asset of K-culture. We hope this festival serves as an opportunity to promote the deep value of Gyeongbuk’s traditional culture to World Gyeongju Forum participants and tourists alike.”

Traditional musician Oh Jung-hae remarked, “I will do my best to spread the melodies and stories of the Arirangs passed down through each region of Gyeongbuk to as many people as possible.”

Meanwhile, the ‘2026 World Gyeongju Forum,’ hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, will be held for two days starting on the 8th at the Gyeongju Hwabaek Convention Center (HICO). Around 3,500 domestic and international participants will gather to discuss international cooperation measures to continuously expand the achievements derived from the Gyeongju APEC Summit and the High-Level Dialogue on Cultural Industries.

During the forum period, the Corporation will also present a special invitation performance by the National Jeongdong Theater Art Troupe, titled ‘GWANGDAE,’ entirely free of charge at the Munmu Hall of Gyeongju Expo Grand Park (held at 7:00 PM on the 8th and 9th, and 2:00 PM on the 10th).

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]