6th Island Day Festival Hosted by Ministry of the Interior and Safety
Walking Tours, Healing Foods, and More at Beach Park from August 7 to 10
Celebratory Performances by Ha Hyunwoo, An Seonghun, and TripleS
Resident-Led Programs: Islanders
A large-scale festival celebrating the beauty and limitless value of islands will take place in Wando County, Jeollanam-do, in honor of Island Day.
This year marks the sixth Island Day event, hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, which will be held grandly over four days from August 7 to 10 at the Wando Beach Park area. The event, themed "Take It Slow, Island," is deeply connected to Wando's identity as a "healing island." The focus is on reinterpreting the island not just as a tourist destination, but as a place to slowly explore, stay, and heal the mind.
The Island Day event hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety will be grandly held from the 7th to the 10th under the theme "Slowly Looking Back, Island" around Wando County Beach Park. Provided by Wando County
The designation of August 8 as Island Day carries a profound meaning. The round shape of the number "8" resembles the outline of an island, and when rotated 90 degrees, it becomes the infinity symbol (∞). This symbolizes the infinite potential, vitality, and healing power of islands. Island Day, established as a legal commemorative day during the Moon Jae-in administration to highlight the importance of islands and their sustainable development, is composed this year of programs closely aligned with Wando's identity as a "healing island."
◆ From Eve to Closing Ceremony... Distinguished Official Event Lineup
The festival will kick off with an eve event on August 7 at 7 p.m. at Wando Beach Park, featuring a trot concert. Around 1,500 residents and tourists are expected to attend and mark the beginning of the festivities together.
The main government ceremony will be attended by key figures including Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Hocheong, National Assembly member Park Jiwon, Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Youngrok, and Wando County Mayor Shin Woochul, who will share the value and vision of islands. Notably, a performance by a vocalist from Wando and the traditional folk performance "Balguangdae Nori," which reflects local characteristics, will further enhance the dignity of the ceremony.
The following celebratory performances will feature various celebrities, including Island Day ambassadors Ha Hyunwoo, An Seonghun, and the popular girl group TripleS, elevating the festival atmosphere to its peak. The grand finale will take place at the closing ceremony on August 10 at 7 p.m., with a highlight video of the event and a flag handover performance to the next host location.
The event's eve will mark the beginning of the festival with about 1,500 residents and tourists gathering at Wando Beach Park. Provided by Wando County
◆ Region-Led Transformation... Five-Senses Experience
The most notable feature of this year's event is the significant expansion of local resident participation, under the theme "Island Residents as the Main Characters." Island residents will directly plan and operate events such as the Island Birthday Party, Lunch Show, and Trot Competition, showcasing the true nature of a resident-led festival.
Experience programs spanning generations also stand out. Various family-friendly activities have been prepared, including a children's island drawing contest, island academy, and making fish bags to protect the island. Side events selling island specialties will also be held, expected to contribute to revitalizing the local economy.
During the festival, participants will have unique opportunities to fully experience Wando's nature and traditional culture. Diverse on-site exploration programs will be offered, such as the Soando and Sinjido Baekseom Baekgil walking event, Bogildo cultural tour, and Pungnyu School program, allowing visitors to experience the islands firsthand.
Culinary experiences are also a highlight. At the "Healing Food Zone," which features Wando's specialties, chefs Oh Seduk and Jung Jiseon will present special "healing foods." The "Island Sea Food School," a youth village designated by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, will also participate to showcase the true charm of island cuisine.
◆ 'Healing Island' Experience Hall Open Until Night
The exhibition hall at Wando Beach Park will be specially organized under the "Healing Island" concept and will operate daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Visitors will follow a step-by-step route, including "My Emotion Diagnosis," "Island Healing Experience," and "Prize Collection," to directly experience the healing power of islands.
The exhibition hall will be set up as a space introducing island policies, specialties, and culture, with participation from central government agencies, related organizations, eight provinces and metropolitan cities, and 36 cities, counties, and districts. Visitors who collect all stamps will receive a small prize.
A county official emphasized, "This event is more than just a tourism event; it is a valuable opportunity to reflect on the limitless potential and vitality of islands and discuss their future value." The official added, "We hope this will serve as a foundation for sustainable development led by island residents and an opportunity to reimagine islands not simply as tourist destinations, but as places that heal the mind."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
