Andong hosts major international mask dance and world heritage festivals

Andong, South Korea, is hosting major cultural events to promote its heritage and global tourism. The 2026 Andong International Mask Dance Festival recently concluded its 11-day run, which took place from September 24 to October 4 across various locations including Hahoe Village and the old downtown area.

The festival, themed ‘Memory of Masks, Dance for All’, featured performances from 27 groups representing 23 countries alongside 17 domestic traditional mask dance groups. New initiatives like the ‘Mask Atelier’ and ‘Global Mask Dance Challenge’ were introduced to increase foreign participation. Malaysia served as the guest of honor, showcasing its traditional crafts and performances.

Simultaneously, the ‘2026 World Heritage Festival Andong’ is scheduled to run for 17 days from the 9th to the 25th. This festival will be held across four UNESCO World Heritage sites: Hahoe Village, Bongjeongsa Temple, Dosan Seowon, and Byeongsan Seowon. The event aims to explore the theme ‘World Heritage of Thought, Future Value of Convergence’ through exhibitions, performances, academic forums, and experiential programs designed to spread the value of these historic sites.