Andong International Maskdance Festival launches with global participants

Andong International Maskdance Festival UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Korean traditional culture Malaysia guest nation global mask culture

The 2026 Andong International Maskdance Festival has officially commenced, marking its transition into a government-designated ‘global festival’. The event, which runs until October 4, features participants from 22 to 23 countries, showcasing diverse mask cultures and traditional performances.

Key highlights include the ‘Global Mask Parade’ and the ‘Daedong Nanjang’, where performers and spectators dance together. The festival also features an East Asia Story Theater and a World Mask Exhibition displaying approximately 500 artifacts. Malaysia is participating as the guest nation, providing a platform for the state of Sabah to promote its cultural heritage and tourism to Korean and international audiences.

The festival aims to leverage South Korea’s UNESCO-listed mask dance traditions to expand the reach of ‘K-traditional culture’ beyond K-pop and K-food. By connecting various sites like Hahoe Village and the Andong old downtown, organizers seek to create a sustainable tourism model that encourages longer visitor stays and boosts the local economy.