Gyeongsangbuk-do Province is hosting the "2026 World Heritage Festival in Andong" for 17 days, from the 9th to the 25th, across four UNESCO World Heritage sites in Andong: Hahoe Folk Village, Bongjeongsa Temple, Dosanseowon Confucian Academy, and Byeongsanseowon Confucian Academy.

The World Heritage Festival is an annual event celebrating the inscription of South Korea's World Heritage sites and promoting their value and significance. Since 2020, Gyeongsangbuk-do has continuously hosted the festival through open competitions held by the Korea Heritage Service. Following Gyeongju last year, Andong is the host city for this year's event.

The festival is co-hosted by the Korea Heritage Service, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, and Andong City, and is organized by the Korea Heritage Agency and the Andong Hahoe Folk Village Preservation Society.

The theme of this year's festival is "World Heritage of Contemplation, Future Value of Consilience." The festival kicks off on the 9th with a permanent exhibition titled "The World Heritage We Cultivate" at Hahoe Folk Village. The official opening ceremony will take place at 18:00 on the 10th at the Mansongjeong Pine Forest sandbar in Hahoe Folk Village, attended by the Administrator of the Korea Heritage Service, officials from Gyeongsangbuk-do and Andong City, and World Heritage experts.

At Hahoe Folk Village, visitors can experience traditional folk performances like Seonyu Julbulnori (fireworks display) and a program where 16 elementary school students participate as "Children's World Heritage Docents." Eight historic private residences, including Hwakyengdang, will host hands-on experience activities and small concerts. In addition, Hwasudang will feature the exhibition "21st Century Maninso and Jingbirok" alongside busking performances.

An international academic conference will also be held at the Mask Dance Performance Park, where experts from South Korea, China, and Uzbekistan will gather to discuss strategies for securing the future value of World Heritage sites.

At Bongjeongsa Temple, the festival begins on the 9th at 17:30 with a "Peace Concert," followed by a talk concert, temple stays and meditation programs, mindful walking, peace busking performances, hanging paper cranes for peace, and a photography exhibition.

At Dosanseowon Confucian Academy, programs include the musical concert "Dosan Twelvecov Songs Revisited," "Dosan Moonlight," the media drama "Dosando," and the "Global Dosan Special Exam," which will see participation from 40 international students. Visitors can also enjoy permanent exhibitions such as "The Spirit of the Times Seen Through Toegye’s Portrait."

At Byeongsanseowon Confucian Academy, the lineup features a "Seowon Confucian Shrine Ritual Experience," the Pungryu Byeongsanseowon music concert "Pungryu Byeongsang," a Seowon revitalization forum, nighttime openings called "Light of Byeongsang," and the "Four Seasons of Byeongsang Photography Exhibition."

During the festival period, tourist information centers and souvenir booths will be set up near the Hahoe Village bus stop. Detailed schedules can be found on the official "2026 World Heritage Festival Andong" website (https://koreawhc.com/ko).

Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, remarked, "In this fruitful and bountiful autumn season, I hope everyone enjoys a precious time together with their families," adding, "We will strive to ensure that Gyeongbuk’s cultural contents spread globally in alignment with the broader K-content trend."

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