"Ciao! Italia" Draws Crowds in Seoul Preview... Chuncheon Event Opens June 12

A Feast of Gastronomy and Music: "Ciao! Italia"
Diverse Programs Including Music, Gastronomy, Film, and Humanities to Be Held in Chuncheon from June 12
Chefs from Sister City Parma and the Parma National Conservatory Ensemble to Participate, Expanding Cultural Exchange
Events to Take Place Across Chuncheon at Venues Such as Santorini, the World Liquor Market, and the City Library

The 6th "Ciao! Italia," which will color Chuncheon in June, set the festive mood ahead of its official opening by meeting citizens in the heart of Seoul.

Tourists flocked to the Italy booth at the Seoul World City Culture Festival held on the 9th. Courtesy of Chuncheon City

According to Chuncheon City on the 10th, the city conducted advance promotional activities for the 6th "Ciao! Italia" event at the "Seoul World City Culture Festival," which was held at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul from May 9 to 10 and organized by the Embassy of Italy in Korea.

The purpose was to raise interest among domestic and international visitors to the Seoul World City Culture Festival in the upcoming "Ciao! Italia" international cultural exchange event in Chuncheon this June, and to promote Chuncheon's international cultural exchange programs to more citizens and tourists. The event attracted significant attention, with all prepared leaflets running out within just a few hours.

"Ciao! Italia" is a cultural exchange event co-hosted by Chuncheon City and the Embassy of Italy in Korea, marking its sixth year in 2026. It will be held over three days from June 12 to 14 throughout Chuncheon, with a variety of programs planned at venues including the World Liquor Market, Santorini, Chuncheon City Library, Chuncheon Agricultural Technology Center, Kangwon National University Hospital, and Bongui High School.

In particular, this year's event will be enriched by full-scale exchanges with Parma, Italy, which became Chuncheon's sister city last year. Culinary exchanges will take place with chefs from the Parma Chefs Association.

Additionally, a quartet from the Parma National Conservatory will perform at a friendship concert, further deepening the cultural and culinary connection between the two cities. During the festival, citizen-participation programs such as the Korea-Italy Friendship Concert, Italian market, wine, cheese, and cooking classes, humanities lectures, film screenings, and academic conferences will also be offered. Some programs will be available only to those who register in advance.

Tourists crowding the Italy booth at the Seoul World Urban Culture Festival held on the 9th. Courtesy of Chuncheon City

A Chuncheon City official stated, "Ciao! Italia has established itself as Chuncheon's signature international cultural exchange festival, where citizens can enjoy music, gastronomy, and cultural content together each year. This year, we are preparing to bring Italian culture to every corner of Chuncheon through the Korea-Italy Friendship Concert, Italian market, and a variety of hands-on programs."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.