A cultural festival celebrating crafts will take place, bringing crafts closer to everyday life and invigorating local culture and tourism. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Craft and Design Foundation announced that '2026 Craft Week' will run from June 19 to 28.
The city of Buyeo in South Chungcheong Province has been selected as this year's main venue. The festival will kick off with an opening ceremony on June 19, featuring a variety of programs under the theme 'Crafting Buyeo.' Visitors can enjoy exhibitions and hands-on programs as they stroll through the '123 Sabi Craft Village,' where workshops, shops, and cultural spaces will participate in this village-style festival. Accommodations in Buyeo will also offer stay programs focused on seasonal crafts and lifestyle culture, allowing guests to experience two-day or three-day stays.
A special exhibition titled 'Local Sensibility' will be held at the Seoul Gallery from June 18 to 28 as part of '2026 Craft Week.'
Across five regions and ten cities nationwide, various craft culture programs reflecting local characteristics will be offered. In the Sejong and Gongju region, there will be an ecological craft exhibition using native plants from the Geum River, a pottery-making event at the Seokjangni Museum, and a cultural tourism program titled 'A Day Following Crafts' connecting Sejong, Gongju, and Buyeo.
In the Jeonju and Gochang region, visitors can explore an exhibition on 'Crafts of Process' at Jeonju Hanok Village and the Craft Exhibition Hall, as well as participate in healing trips and markets with local workshops and artisans.
The Busan and Ulsan region will host a Sea Jazz & Craft Festival at Ananti Cove, craft exhibitions at Villa Oasis Open Studio, and a craftspeople storytelling event at the Ulsan International Art Fair.
In the Chilgok and Gumi region, exhibitions and lectures will reinterpret local industrial materials such as steel, automobiles, and electronics into crafts, while the Jeju and Seogwipo region will feature the 'Pachi Market' and travel experiences connecting local workshops.
The Cheongju Craft Creation Support Center will present 'Handmade Market: Urban Healing Camp,' featuring exhibitions and markets of domestic glass artists, glassblowing demonstrations, and workshops. The Jinju Craft Creation Support Center will conduct 'Jinju_Capturing Crafts,' where participants can visit local artisans' workshops and engage in craft activities.
In Wanju, a 'Camping Week' will include forest craft classes, pop-up shops, and farm party experiences, while Changwon will host a special exhibition titled 'Space of Artisans' featuring master craftsmen from the southeastern region.
Collaborative programs that combine craft experiences and travel are also planned. In partnership with Korail Tourism Development, craft travel products centered around Buyeo will be available on June 20 and 27, and early registrants can receive a discount voucher for accommodations in Buyeo, Gongju, and Jeonju.
More details can be found on the official website and Instagram.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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