A Feast of Romance and Sand Art in Pohang... 'Yeongildae Sand Festival' Opens on the 27th

Sand Art Exhibition at Yeongildae and Songdo Beaches from 27th to October 7th

Sand Festival on 27th and 28th, Hands-on Sand Sculpture Experience Event

Pohang City will host the ‘2024 8th Yeongildae Sand Festival’ at Yeongildae Beach over two days on the 27th and 28th, featuring sand sculpture exhibitions and a variety of hands-on activities.

The main sand sculpture at Yeongildae Beach, "The Story of Pohang's Growth, Love, and Future."

This year’s event, held under the theme ‘Romance of Pohang, a Feast of Sand Art,’ will showcase three sand sculpture pieces at Yeongildae Beach.

The main sand sculpture, titled ‘The Story of Pohang’s Growth, Love, and Future,’ depicts the city’s development process and future vision, capturing the passion and love of its citizens within the urban landscape.

This piece parodies the Mount Rushmore sculpture in the United States, featuring likenesses of individuals who have ties to Pohang and have contributed to the city’s reputation in politics, economy, sports, culture and arts, and society: former President Lee Myungbak, former POSCO Honorary Chairman Park Taejoon, soccer player Hwang Heechan, singer Jeon Yujin, and priest Nam Daeyoung.

Visitors can also view a sand sculpture recreating a famous scene from the drama ‘When the Camellia Blooms,’ which made Guryongpo in Pohang a tourist attraction, as well as a collaborative piece combining Robot Taekwon V and Mazinger Z, evoking nostalgia for childhood in the 1970s and 1980s and inspiring a sense of innocence in children.

This year, in addition to Yeongildae Beach, Songdo Beach will also feature a sand sculpture depicting the romantic dance scene from the movie ‘La La Land.’

The sculpture "Pohang La La Land," carved from the movie La La Land at Songdo Beach.

The sand sculptures will remain on display until October 7, even after the festival ends.

During the two-day Yeongildae Sand Festival on the 27th and 28th, various experiences such as the ‘Sand Playground,’ ‘Moonlight Sand Walking,’ and ‘Challenge! I’m a Sand Sculptor Too’ as well as busking performances will offer entertainment and attractions for citizens and tourists alike.

The multimedia fireworks show, set to begin at 8 p.m., is expected to create a spectacular scene set against the night sea of Pohang.

Yoo Hoseong, Director of the Marine Industry Division, said, “Through the sand sculpture exhibition and hands-on activities at this year’s Yeongildae Sand Festival, we hope vacationers will fully enjoy the charm of Pohang’s beaches. We will strive to enhance the quality of the Yeongildae Sand Festival to make Pohang a destination people want to visit again, thereby increasing the festival’s overall excellence.”