Ansan City to Host the 22nd Ansan International Street Theater Festival from May 1 to 3

On April 14, Ansan City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Mingun) announced at a regular briefing that it will hold the 22nd Ansan International Street Theater Festival for three days from May 1 to 3 at Ansan Cultural Square and the surrounding area.

Ansan City (Mayor Lee Mingeun) held a press briefing on the 14th to announce that the "22nd Ansan International Street Arts Festival" will be held for three days from May 1 to 3 at Ansan Culture Plaza and its surroundings. Provided by Ansan City

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This year’s festival, following last year’s example, is being directly planned and organized by Ansan City and the Ansan Cultural Foundation. The event will feature a total of 95 programs, including performances, special events, and side programs. Various shows will take place at 14 different sites, which include 8 locations within the cultural square, 3 local commercial districts, and 3 major hubs.

The opening performance will feature Dongchun Circus’s “Variety Circus Show,” which boasts a 100-year tradition. The closing performance will be delivered by Canada’s Calabant? with their “WOW” show, presenting a stage that combines aerial performances, acrobatics, and comedy. A spectacular fireworks show will conclude the festival.

Official entries selected by street art experts include 4 international works and 16 domestic productions, which will serve as the festival’s signature performances for audiences. In addition, the festival will showcase “Maju (Ye-hwa),” a locally themed production supported by Ansan, as well as a “Citizen Version” performance featuring participation from the public, further enhancing the festival’s public value and level of engagement.

The festival will also offer a diverse range of special programs. These include a dedicated space for children and teenagers; a music street focused on indie busking; programs tied to local businesses; a participatory installation art program titled “Box Maze,” where attendees can assemble and decorate cardboard boxes; and “Dream Balloon,” an installation art project where visitors can make wish balloons. The format is designed to encourage hands-on participation from all age groups, so that visitors are not limited to passive observation.

In particular, the Water Square will be created as an interactive space for families. There will be a giant “Little Prince” balloon and a large duck sculpture, while the water playground will offer an experiential element using numerous duck toys, allowing children to naturally engage with street art. This space is expected to become a major attraction for family visitors.

Ansan City has also focused on improving the environment to enhance visitor convenience and accessibility. Designated seating for wheelchair users and those with mobility difficulties will be provided at all performance sites, and multilingual information booths in English, Vietnamese, and Russian will be available. Some venues will feature seating arrangements such as floor cushions at the front, mini benches in the middle, and standing zones at the back to improve the viewing experience. Festival map cushions will be distributed through an Instagram event.

Mayor Lee Mingun of Ansan City stated, “The 22nd Ansan International Street Theater Festival has been meticulously prepared with the citizens’ perspective in mind,” adding, “We hope you enjoy a time where art and everyday life come together at Ansan Cultural Square this May.”

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