Choi Dae-ho, the mayor of Anyang, emphasized on August 25 that "architecture embodies people's lives, connects individuals, and shapes the culture of our cities."
He announced plans for an architecture culture festival that will allow citizens to easily engage with and experience the value of architecture in their daily lives.
In collaboration with the Anyang Architectural Society, the '2026 Anyang Architecture Festival' will take place from September 1 to 6 at the Kim Jung-up Architecture Museum in Seoksu 1-dong, Manan-gu.
This year's festival theme is 'Architecture: Connecting People and Spaces.'
Reflecting Mayor Choi's focus on citizen-centered urban policies and the vision of Anyang as a cultural city, the festival aims to make architecture accessible to everyone, allowing citizens to see, walk, learn, and enjoy it as part of their everyday culture.
During the event, there will be exhibitions featuring award-winning architectural works, a showcase of architectural history, special exhibitions, and drawings of buildings by students from special education schools.
The festival is expected to provide a fresh perspective on Anyang's architectural culture and urban spaces through a variety of works.
There will also be numerous citizen participation programs. On September 2, a cultural tour of the Central Cathedral will be held, followed by an architectural tour of the Kim Jung-up Architecture Museum on September 4. On September 5, family-friendly activities such as a children's drawing competition and 3D building construction will take place.
Notably, the opening ceremony and the architecture culture awards ceremony will occur on the afternoon of September 5, recognizing outstanding buildings and students' creative works.
Throughout the venue, events and experiential activities for citizens will continue, including a fun quiz called 'Architecture Golden Bell' at 4 PM.
This festival is significant as it goes beyond a simple exhibition, aiming to share Anyang's architectural assets and urban spaces from the perspective of its citizens.
Importantly, the festival is designed to engage a wide audience, from children to families and architecture professionals, allowing citizens to view the city of Anyang through a new architectural lens.
Local residents are looking forward to the experiential and tour programs centered around the Kim Jung-up Architecture Museum, which will allow families to participate in their nearby living spaces.
Mayor Choi Dae-ho urged, "I hope families and neighbors will come together to share the joy of connecting people and spaces through architecture at this festival."
Additionally, Mayor Choi plans to establish this festival as a representative cultural event that allows citizens to directly experience Anyang's architecture and urban spaces, reinforcing the value of 'Anyang as a people-centered city.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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