Gwangju Royal Ceramics Festival Opens on the 24th: "Experience the Essence of Joseon White Porcelain"

A festival reinterpreting the 500-year legacy of Joseon royal ceramics through a modern lens will be held.

Gwangju City to Hold the 29th Gwangju Royal Celadon Festival Opening on the 24th. Photo by Gyeonggi Gwangju City

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The Gwangju Cultural Foundation (CEO Oh Seyoung) announced on April 17 that it will host the 29th Gwangju Royal Ceramics Festival for 12 days, from April 24 to May 5, at the Gonjiam Ceramics Park and surrounding area.

This year’s festival, under the slogan "The Dignity of Royalty Blossoming on the Waterway," is designed as an integrated cultural event where both citizens and tourists can come together, while also inheriting the historical legacy of Gwangju, the birthplace of Joseon white porcelain.

This year’s ceramics festival features exhibitions, performances, and hands-on programs that encompass both the value of traditional ceramics and their modern reinterpretations. During the festival, there will be royal ceramics exhibitions and sales, the Gwangju Ceramics Master Exhibition, the Master Artisans’ Workshop, and an auction for ceramics. The event will showcase content that balances both professional expertise and public appeal.

The opening ceremony will take place on April 24 at 5:30 p.m., beginning with a pre-event performance by the Gwangju Municipal Gwangjiwon Nongakdan. This will be followed by the official ceremony and a themed performance titled "Play of Time," which will express the history and aesthetics of royal ceramics through a blend of tradition and modernity. In addition, a K-POP Day performance will be held on April 25, and a Trot Day performance on April 26, offering programs tailored to various age groups.

Gwangju City to Open the 29th Gwangju Royal Ceramics Festival on the 24th. Photo shows the 28th Gwangju Royal Ceramics Festival. Courtesy of Gyeonggi Gwangju City.

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During the festival, ongoing programs will include a royal ceramics outdoor play, a river market, street performances, and a retro playground experience zone. Hands-on activities such as moon jar pottery wheel experiences, ceramics painting, and clay workshops will allow visitors to directly participate in the ceramics-making process.

In addition, from May 1 during the holiday period, Gwangju City will host a series of linked events, including a food culture festival, an art festival, a multicultural harmony festival, and a Children's Day family festival. The city plans to operate this as an integrated festival that comprehensively showcases the region's cultural capabilities.

Oh Seyoung, CEO of the Gwangju Cultural Foundation, stated, "Celebrating its 29th year, this festival is planned to allow everyone to participate by combining a diversity of cultural content with the traditions of royal ceramics," adding, "We expect this event to serve as an opportunity to promote Gwangju’s cultural identity and competitiveness."

Gwangju City to Host the 29th Gwangju Royal Porcelain Festival Opening on the 24th. Photo by Gyeonggi Gwangju City

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Meanwhile, the ceramics festival will be open daily from 10:00 a.m. during the event period, and detailed schedules and programs can be found on the Gwangju Cultural Foundation’s website and official social media channels.

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