On the second day since opening, a variety of programs are unfolding at the main venue of the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo where visitors can experience the cultures of the world's islands and Yeosu's cuisine.
The Yeosu World Island Expo Organizing Committee said on the 7th that it held "Island Friends Day" at 11 a.m. on the 6th.
Island Friends Day is a program that introduces island cultures and arts from regions around the world through performances. The first performance featured a traditional show from Trenggalek, Indonesia. Traditional dances and music from the Trenggalek region were presented, sharing the culture of Indonesia's island regions with the audience.
That afternoon, "Yeosu Island Cooking Show" with popular chef Lee Won-il was held at the Open Stage.
Chef Lee Won-il led an interactive cooking show, including a quiz with the audience to guess key ingredients hidden in a mystery box. As each ingredient was revealed, the audience's curiosity and anticipation grew.
Lee presented dishes using ingredients from the islands and the sea. He made Yeosu's rich foods and the islands' culinary culture easy and familiar. Visitors watched up close as the dishes came together and experienced firsthand how ingredients from Yeosu's islands are made into a single dish.
Kim Jong-gi, secretary-general of the Yeosu World Island Expo Organizing Committee, said, "An island is a space where not only scenery but also the cultures, foods, and stories of the people who live there come together," and added, "We hope many people will visit the Island Expo, where you can enjoy performances while looking out at the open sea and savor island foods along with Noul."
Meanwhile, the Yeosu World Island Expo, under the theme "Connecting islands, the sea and the future," runs for 61 days from Sept. 5 to Nov. 4 at the main venue in Jinmo District, Dolsan, Yeosu, as well as Yeosu Expo Plaza and around Gaedo and Geumodo. A total of 133 programs will be operated during the expo, allowing visitors to see, hear, and taste the islands and experience them with all five senses.