Preview of Success for the Goyang Furniture Expo: A One-Stop Look at Furniture and Living
Highlight of the Goyang Reading Festival: A Blend of Books, Music, and Hands-On Experiences
A Time for Empathy and Healing with Companion Animals
Romantic Autumn Continues Amid Waves of Cosmos Flowers Along Changneungcheon
In October, as autumn reaches its peak, Goyang Special City is captivating citizens with a variety of festivals and exhibitions befitting its reputation as a "cultural city."
According to Goyang Special City (Mayor Lee Donghwan) on October 10, a range of events will take place throughout the city, infusing urban spaces with the atmosphere of the season. These include the metropolitan area's leading furniture expo, a healing reading festival in the heart of the city, a therapeutic culture festival for pet owners, and a beautiful cosmos flower festival.
Visitors touring the furniture exhibited at the Goyang Furniture Expo held last year. Provided by Goyang Special City
◆ October 16-19: From Exhibition and Viewing to Consultation and Purchase All at Once at the 'Goyang Furniture Expo'
From October 16 to 19, the Goyang Furniture Expo, the metropolitan area's premier furniture and living fair, will be held at KINTEX Exhibition Hall 1.
Now in its 18th year since its launch in 2011, the Goyang Furniture Expo attracted over 41,000 visitors during the first half of this year, generating approximately 14.4 billion won in sales and enjoying great success.
This fall's expo, themed "Autumn Floral Fragrance," will feature 98 furniture companies and 144 living sections, promising an even richer experience. A wide range of items will be on display, including renowned domestic and international furniture brands, home appliances for newlyweds and movers, interior accessories, and daily necessities. Visitors can easily catch up on the latest interior trends and space utilization ideas. Purchases can also be made on-site at reasonable prices.
Various events for visitors are also planned. Every day, the first 200 visitors will receive gifts, and customers who purchase over 500,000 won worth of products can spin a roulette wheel for a chance to win mini home appliances, adding extra excitement to the event.
Advance registration for the expo is available on the Goyang Furniture Expo website, and those who register can enter for free on-site.
Citizens reading books at the outdoor library on the lakeside lawn (2024 Reading Festival). Provided by Goyang Special City
◆ October 18: A Pause in the City with Books at the '2025 Goyang Reading Festival'
On October 18, Hanul Square in Ilsan Lake Park will host the city's signature reading culture festival, the "2025 Goyang Reading Festival." Under the slogan "Today, Book Mode," the festival will offer 31 programs across seven areas, allowing visitors to enjoy books and culture all in one place.
The opening ceremony, held at 11:00 a.m. on the main stage, will include an award ceremony for contributors to the promotion of reading culture, a Nanta performance, and a celebratory performance by the sign language club "Songeurami." Following this, the "Children's Reading Golden Bell" will feature 80 elementary school students from grades 3 to 6, who have pre-registered on the website, competing in a quiz after reading designated books to test their knowledge and passion for reading.
Other programs open to all citizens include a book talk with Professor Na Minae and writer Boram, a specialized library experience, reading board games, and traditional play experiences. The festival will conclude with a performance by an acoustic band, enhancing the festive atmosphere.
The lakeside lawn will be transformed into an outdoor library, equipped with bean bags, parasols, and mini bookshelves, allowing visitors to relax and read in nature. Special exhibitions will also be held, featuring "Goyang City's Book of the Year," "Award-winning Korean Picture Books," and "Calligraphy Works by Citizens." In addition, the Goyang Lake Market, with 19 handicraft artists participating, will offer a variety of cultural, experiential, and shopping opportunities.
Agility experience zone at the Animal Empathy Healing Culture Festival held last year. Provided by Goyang Special City
◆ October 25: A Healing Space for People and Pets at the 'Animal Empathy Healing Culture Festival'
On October 25, the "2025 Animal Empathy Healing Culture Festival" will take place at Ilsan Culture Square, offering a space for healing and connection that enriches the hearts of both people and animals.
The festival will kick off at 10:00 a.m. with an award ceremony for dog park managers and a busking healing concert. On the field, the "Goyang Pet Star Petshion Show" (Pet Fashion Show) will be held, where fashionable companion dogs will walk the runway with senior models, strike stylish poses, and compete for the Best Pose Award, providing a unique and entertaining experience.
On-site, various activities for pet owners will be available, including pet CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), behavior correction counseling, pet food making, and ID tag creation. Campaigns to promote pet culture, such as free animal registration and abandoned animal adoption promotion, will also take place. Additionally, there will be booths for pet loss syndrome counseling, animal drawing tests, and animal emotion card experiences, all conveying messages of healing and empathy.
This year's festival will be held alongside the "2025 Pets Run." There will also be a farmers' market, flea market, and a parade by the companion dog patrol, offering a wealth of attractions for visitors.
At the 2023 Changneungcheon Cosmos Festival, Lee Donghwan, mayor of Goyang Special City, tours the Changneungcheon cosmos flower field with citizens. Photo by Goyang Special City
◆ October 25-26: Autumn Scenery Along the Riverside at the 'Changneungcheon Cosmos Festival'
From October 25 to 26, the Changneungcheon Cosmos Festival will welcome citizens with a sea of cosmos flowers spread across approximately 30,000 square meters at the Gangmaeseokgyo Park area along Changneungcheon. The flower fields, set against the backdrop of the clear autumn sky, provide the perfect setting for memorable photos anywhere you go.
The festival atmosphere will be enhanced by busking performances and the Changneungcheon singing contest. There will also be hands-on programs for both children and adults, such as making plaster air fresheners, drawing eco bags and T-shirts, caricature drawing, and face painting. Additionally, a local agricultural and seafood market and a food market, organized with local residents, will further delight visitors.
Mayor Lee Donghwan of Goyang Special City stated, "In October, a variety of exhibitions and cultural events for citizens will continue to enrich every corner of Goyang. I hope this will be a time for families and neighbors to fully enjoy autumn in Goyang and find happiness in their everyday lives."
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