The Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City will host the 'Namdo K-Garden Festival' in conjunction with the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, transforming downtown Yeosu into a large-scale garden.
According to the Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City on August 9, the festival will take place from September 11 to October 31, covering approximately 15,000 square meters from Yeosu's Yeosodong cultural street to the scenic plaza.
Under the slogan 'Yeosu Night Garden Embracing Islands,' the event aims to create various types of gardens along city streets, plazas, and commercial areas, allowing citizens and tourists to enjoy both the gardens and cultural programs as they stroll.
The festival will particularly showcase Yeosu's islands and sea, connecting streets, plazas, and alleys into a cohesive green space, presenting a new tourism content that makes gardens easily accessible in the urban environment.
A highlight of the festival will be the garden 'Thornbush Dream' designed by renowned garden designer Hwang Ji-hae. This work symbolizes the red sun, subtropical forest, and the future of cities and islands.
Hwang won a gold medal at the 2023 Chelsea Flower Show in the UK and previously showcased the traditional Namdo garden 'Aeyangdan' at the Korean Cultural Center in New York in 2024.
The festival will feature ten selected artist gardens, 30 commercial gardens, and six community gardens created through a public competition.
The commercial and community gardens will be designed as spaces closely connected to daily life, with local residents and business owners actively participating. Underutilized areas, such as spaces in front of shops or small street corners, will be transformed into gardens, providing relaxation spots throughout the city.
After the event, the gardens will not be temporary installations; a garden supporters program involving citizens will be established for ongoing maintenance.
Cultural and experiential programs utilizing the gardens will also be organized. During the festival, activities such as flea markets, gardening experiences, and garden busking will be held, transforming the event into a festival where citizens and tourists can actively participate and linger.
The festival will also strengthen tourism connections with the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo.
The Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City plans to operate a free shuttle bus connecting the main expo venue with the garden festival site, allowing expo visitors to explore both the urban gardens and local businesses.
The shuttle will operate along a round trip of 15.6 kilometers between the main expo venue and downtown Yeosu until 10 p.m.
Through this event, the Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City aims to create a new garden culture space in downtown Yeosu while encouraging expo visitors to engage with the city and its local economy.
Moon Mi-ran, head of the Forest Recreation Division at Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City, stated, “The Garden Festival will support the successful hosting of the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo and serve as an opportunity to promote the garden culture of the integrated special city. We will prepare to establish gardens that embrace Yeosu's islands and sea as a new brand for the city.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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