The Gwangju Metropolitan City is ramping up preparations for the '2026 World Gimbap and Salt Festival,' set to take place in Yeosu this October.
On July 31, Gwangju officials held a kickoff meeting at the Muan Government Complex to discuss the event's basic direction and detailed plans.
Attendees included Gwangju officials, event organizing agencies, and field experts, who collectively reviewed the layout of the venue, core program operations, promotional and marketing strategies, visitor amenities, and safety management measures.
This year's festival, themed 'ALL RIGHT!' will run from October 9 to 11 at the Yeosu Expo Convention Center. It aims to create an experiential festival centered around Gwangju's signature foods and solar salt, attracting both domestic and international tourists.
The event will feature exhibitions showcasing the history and culture of gimbap and salt, tastings of gimbap made with local specialties, a global gimbap competition, DIY solar salt classes, and storytelling sessions about salt throughout history.
The venue will be organized into themed zones, including a Gimbap Zone, Solar Salt Zone, Performance Zone, Market Zone, and Healing Zone, allowing visitors to enjoy food, performances, experiences, and relaxation in one space. The festival is also designed to promote local agricultural and fishery products, contributing to the revitalization of the regional economy.
Gwangju officials aim to use this festival to promote the city's clean seafood, solar salt, and local food culture to both domestic and international audiences, establishing it as a key autumn tourism event for Yeosu.
Son Yeong-gon, head of the Gwangju Fisheries Distribution and Processing Division, stated, "Gimbap and salt are competitive content that can showcase Gwangju's clean seafood and food culture to the world. We will ensure thorough preparations to make this a world-class festival that combines local flavors, beauty, and stories."
Additionally, Gwangju plans to enhance the program's quality by incorporating expert feedback and operational strategies presented during the kickoff meeting, while also developing transportation, safety, and visitor convenience measures as part of the event preparations.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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