The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on the 22nd that the first national traditional music fair, the '2025 Yeongdong World Traditional Music Expo,' will be held in Yeongdong, North Chungcheong Province.
The Traditional Music Expo will take place from the 12th of next month to October 11 at the Rainbow Healing Tourist Site and the Traditional Music Experience Village in Yeongdong County. Under the theme 'The Fragrance of Traditional Music, Coloring the World,' various events will highlight the value of traditional music and culture.
The Traditional Music Expo is the first international event in the field of traditional arts (traditional music) and an international fair with participation from more than 30 countries. It aims to promote our unique sounds and melodies to the world and share global traditional music culture through collaborations with traditional music experts from various countries.
A Ministry official noted, 'Since this event, which is primarily promoted by Yeongdong County and North Chungcheong Province, aims for balanced regional development and cultural tourism revitalization, it will serve as a model case for regional growth through unique local content.'
On the opening day, an air show by the Air Force's special flight team 'Black Eagles' will kick off the event, followed by pansori performances by traditional musician Nam Sang-il and orchestral performances by the Yeongdong Nangkye Traditional Music Group, along with congratulatory performances by ambassadors (Park Ae-ri, Kim Da-hyun, traditional music band Inaelchi, and trot singer Park Ji-hyun). A large-scale percussion performance involving about 200 professional musicians and Yeongdong citizens, as well as a joint 'Yeongdong Arirang' choir with the audience and all performers, will also take place.
In the intangible heritage experience hall, works of artisans in skills such as instrument making and flower scattering will be displayed, and the outdoor experience area will feature traditional music instrument playing experiences taught by professional instructors and various cultural and traditional play experiences from 30 countries.
Minister Choi Hwi-young stated, 'The 2025 Yeongdong World Traditional Music Expo is the first step toward globalizing, industrializing, and popularizing traditional music by shedding light on its meaning and value.'