Officials from Embassies of 5 Nations Enjoy Traditional Culture at Anseong Namsadang Baudeokgi Festival

The Anseong Namsadang Baudeokgi Festival turned into a global festival on the second day, March 3rd, as visitors from home and abroad continued to flock to the grounds.

This year, officials from various national embassies were officially invited to create a venue for international cultural exchange. On the opening day, March 2nd, officials from embassies of five nations—Italy, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and the Philippines—visited the festival grounds to enjoy traditional performances such as Namsadang Nori, purchase Anseong brass wares, and savor the city's traditional culture and festival atmosphere.

The city plans to expand cultural exchanges between nations on the occasion of these embassy officials' visit and actively promote the globalization of regional traditional culture, including Namsadang Nori.

The festival features a "World Cultural Heritage Master Class" where visitors can encounter UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Namsadang Nori alongside traditional performances from countries around the world every day.

The Namsadang Nori performance team and performance groups from five countries—Thailand, India, Malaysia, Egypt, and Taiwan—affiliated with the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals (CIOFF) take the stage together, showcasing each country's traditional culture and adding significance to cultural diversity and exchange.

The festival grounds feature multilingual signage throughout, as well as interpretation services in three languages—Korean, Chinese, and Japanese—and support for Russian and Vietnamese interpretation for foreign visitors. At the interpretation zone in the comprehensive information center, staff guide foreign visitors through festival programs and viewing information.

Additionally, through the "Global Studio," the festival is being streamed live on YouTube, bringing vivid images of Anseong's traditional culture and festival atmosphere to overseas visitors unable to visit the site.

Mayor Kim Bo-ra stated, "On the occasion of this visit by officials from overseas embassies, I hope Anseong and each nation forge good ties and naturally lead to exchanges in the field of culture and arts. We will continue to create a sustainable global festival where people around the world can enjoy together and understand each other's cultures."

Meanwhile, the 2026 Anseong Namsadang Baudeokgi Festival will continue until March 5th at Anseong Matchum Land and the surrounding areas of the Anseong Stream.