The "48th Gyeongbuk Arts Festival," a comprehensive arts festival bringing together artists from across Gyeongsangbuk-do, kicked off on the 1st at the Dongnak Hall of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Government.

Hosted by the Gyeongsangbuk-do Federation of Artistic and Cultural Organizations (Korea Federation of Arts and Culture, Gyeongbuk Chapter), this year’s festival runs from the 1st to the 6th at the Provincial Government's Dongnak Hall and the Andong Mask Dance Park area. Seven affiliated associations are participating, showcasing the achievements of Gyeongbuk’s culture and arts—spanning both tradition and modernity—through various fields including Korean traditional music, dance, literature, fine arts, theater, entertainment arts, and music.

Some 600 artists and guests from around the province attended the opening event. It opened with introductory performances by the Bonghwa True Sound Ocarina Ensemble and the Chilgok Peace Nuri Choir. Following this, performances by the Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Government Daycare Center Choir, the opening ceremony, the Gyeongbuk Arts Awards ceremony, a collaborative performance of Korean traditional music and dance, and celebratory performances by the Yecheon Opera Ensemble and Dodree were held in sequence.

During the awards ceremony, 16 artists who have dedicated themselves to local cultural and artistic development and creative activities received the Gyeongbuk Arts Grand Prize, Achievement Awards, and Gyeongbuk Arts Awards. The Gyeongbuk Arts Grand Prizes were awarded to Ryu Young-jae in the fine arts category and Jung Sook-hee in the dance category.

Ryu Young-jae fostered future generations while serving as a secondary school art teacher for 34 years. He also expanded the base of local fine arts culture through his activities with the Pohang Fine Arts Association and the Pohang Federation of Arts and Culture. Jung Sook-hee took the lead in developing local dance arts and promoting harmony among artists while serving as the president of the Andong Federation of Arts and Culture, as well as the vice president and senior vice president of the Gyeongbuk Federation of Arts and Culture.

Gyeongsangbuk-do Governor's Achievement Awards were presented to Lee Jeong-seop and Choi Yong-seok (both in fine arts) and Ryu Young-sun (Korean traditional music). Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Council Chairman's Achievement Awards went to Cho Hyang-soon (literature), Han In-ho (fine arts), and Kim Chul-soo (entertainment). The Gyeongbuk Arts Awards were received by 8 individuals: Lee Hae-sook (Korean traditional music), Lee Yu-jung (dance), Cho Kwang-sik (literature), Lee Eun-do (fine arts), Kim Seung-hwan (photography), Hwang Yoon-dong (theater), Chae Hee-sam (entertainment), and Kim Joo-seok (music).

Throughout the event period, the "2026 Gyeongbuk Writers' Writing and Painting Exhibition" and the "40th Gyeongsangbuk-do Fine Arts Association Exhibition" will continue at the Provincial Government's Dongnak Hall. At the Andong Mask Dance Park, events including the Gyeongbuk Pops Concert, the 32nd Gyeongbuk Music Festival, the 28th Gyeongbuk Korean Traditional Artists' Festival, the Gyeongbuk Dance Festival, and theatrical performances will take place.

The programs have been structured by linking the two venues so that artists, residents, and tourists can closely enjoy both performances and exhibitions.

"Celebrating its 48th year, the Gyeongbuk Arts Festival is a meaningful occasion where the passion and creative achievements of the artists who have carried on the pulse of Gyeongbuk's culture and arts are shared with provincial residents," said Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do. "We will continue to provide solid support so that local artists can create to their hearts' content and residents can enjoy culture and arts more closely in their daily lives."

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