Icheon's Clay, Shaped Over 40 Years... Icheon Ceramic Festival Opens April 24

by Lee jonggu

Published 11 Mar.2026 19:57(KST)

Mayor Kim Kyunghee: "A Venue for Unity Created by Citizens and Ceramic Artists"

40 Years of Heritage: A Spectacular Revival as a 'Festival of Clay and Fire'

From AI Exhibitions to Master Artisan Showcases: A Complete Transformation into an Experiential Festival

A 12-Day Journey Where the Entire Village Becomes Art

The Icheon Ceramic Festival, the essence of Korea's ceramic culture, will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year, having reached maturity as one of the nation's representative festivals.

On March 11, the city of Icheon in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Kyunghee) announced that the 40th Icheon Ceramic Festival, which has been selected as a "2026-2027 Preliminary Festival" by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, will be held for 12 days from April 24 to May 5 at Icheon Ceramic Art Village (Yespark) and the Sagimakgol Pottery Village area.

The 40th Icheon Ceramic Festival will be held for 12 days from April 24 to May 5 at the Icheon Ceramic Art Village (Yes Park) and Sagimakgol Pottery Village. Provided by Icheon City

40 Years of Heritage: Reborn as a 'Festival of Clay and Fire'

This year's festival slogan is "Festival of Clay and Fire." More than just a spectacle, the festival is designed as an experiential cultural event where citizens and visitors can participate and interact directly. A special "Archive Hall" will be set up to highlight the 40-year history of Icheon ceramics and showcase its legacy at a glance.

Additionally, there will be a "Contemporary Ceramics Exhibition" inspired by nature, a "Gallery Tour" in the Icheon Ceramic Art Village, and the "Yes All-in-one Experience Road" offering a variety of hands-on programs within Yespark, allowing visitors to enjoy a diverse range of ceramic art experiences.

The 40th Icheon Ceramics Festival will be held for 12 days from April 24 to May 5 at the Icheon Ceramic Art Village (YesPark) and Sagimakgol Pottery Village. Photo by Icheon City

The Entire Village as a Festival Venue: Ceramic Art Deeply Rooted in the Community

This year's festival will transform a stretch of about 1 kilometer, from Yespark Corridor Village to Sabujak 1 Village, into the main event area, featuring a large-scale outdoor ceramic sales zone. Ceramic artists and local studios, in addition to the Ceramic Art Village, will participate in the sales zone, giving visitors the chance to browse ceramics at their leisure and interact with the artists.

There will also be special marketplaces such as "62 Market (Byul Village)" and "Saturday Market (Gama Village)," along with unique content from each village, including Sagimakgol's own programs. In particular, Sagimakgol Pottery Village will host a special exhibition of innovative works by students from Korea Ceramic High School, creating a space for harmony between the younger and older generations.

The 40th Icheon Ceramic Festival will be held for 12 days from April 24 to May 5 at the Icheon Ceramic Art Village (Yes Park) and Sagimakgol Pottery Village. Courtesy of Icheon City

A Feast for the Senses: Abundant Programs for All Five Senses

Beyond exhibitions, sales, and hands-on experiences, the festival is packed with programs for visitors to enjoy and participate in. The food zone, "Cafe Village Food Festival," and "Temple Cuisine + Tea Ceremony Tasting" events are sure to delight visitors' palates. There will also be ceramic games and busking performances in the sales zone, event photo zones, digital guides, and smart navigation maps to attract and engage attendees.

There is a wealth of entertainment to enjoy. The "Cafe Village Food Festival" and "Temple Cuisine + Tea Ceremony Tasting" events will appeal to gourmets, while busking performances and ceramic games will take place throughout the festival grounds. In addition, a ceramic exhibition utilizing AI technology is being prepared. Ceramic games and busking performances, event photo zones, digital guides, and smart navigation maps in the sales zone are all planned to captivate visitors.

Kim Kyunghee, Chairperson of the Icheon Ceramic Festival Organizing Committee, stated, "As this festival has been prepared through the cooperation of citizens, ceramic artists, and the local community, it will serve as an opportunity to showcase Icheon's status as the city of festivals to the world. We are proud to present it as Korea's leading ceramic culture festival."