2026 Seomjin River International Experimental Arts Festival (SIEAF)

The 2026 Seomjin River International Experimental Arts Festival is an international experimental arts festival held against the backdrop of the region’s natural landscapes and living spaces—including the Seomjin and Daehwang Rivers, forests, rice paddies, and gardens—in Gokseong, South Jeolla Province. The main programs consist of an Archive Exhibition, the SIEAF Colloquium, a Rice Paddy Fashion Show, the opening program “WITH Dokkaebi & Duggeobi,” a Movement Healing Workshop, an Oxygen Concert, and a Flower Parade. The SIEAF Archive Exhibition is a thematic exhibition utilizing various records from the 2025 Seomjin River International Experimental Arts Festival and rural-themed objects; it serves as a prelude program to welcome the 2026 SIEAF together with local residents. The SIEAF Colloquium is a discourse program held at the Bitmaru Center, featuring presentations and discussions on topics such as the history and folklore of the Seomjin River, the role of rural leaders, and the creation of glocal rural culture through art. Participants including the Gokseong Cultural Center, rural researchers, local activists, and arts professionals will engage in an informal discussion aimed at fostering mutual growth between a “Rural Utopia” and an “Art Utopia.” The Rice Paddy Fashion Show is a rural-friendly program that utilizes rice paddy embankments as a stage during the rice-ripening season. It features outfits made from natural materials and designs inspired by local agricultural specialties, and consists of a fashion show and performances involving local residents, children, senior models, artists, and local cultural and arts organizations. The opening program, “WITH Dokkaebi & Toad,” is a performance held at Arok Recreation Area, where the Seomjin River and Daehwang River converge. Based on the goblin legends and toad imagery passed down in Gokseong, the program features a “Rite of Life,” a “Goblin Ritual,” media art, world music, dance, butoh, traditional Korean music, percussion, vocal music, installation art, and drone performances. “Goblin Rice”—collected through resident participation—is transformed into rice wine and rice cakes, which are shared among artists, residents, and audience members, leading into a contemporary artistic ritual performance expressing gratitude for the harvest and praying for the well-being of the community. The Oxygen Concerts and Movement Healing Workshops are meditation and healing concerts held in Ok and Mugeun Forest. The Movement Healing Workshops consist of warm-up exercises, body awareness, movements that connect with nature, movements to find one’s personal rhythm, and dances of connection. The Oxygen Concerts are nature- and ecology-oriented programs that combine the natural acoustics of the forest with acoustic performances, singing bowls, vocal music, Bara dance, performance art, meditation, and installation art, offering a time to resonate as part of nature. The Flower Parade is an art parade program held at the Seomjin River Donghwa Garden, featuring the participation of artists, residents, local clubs, and visitors. The event features processions and performances utilizing costumes and props, as well as hands-on programs and workshops centered around flowers. Audiences are welcomed by a variety of programs, including installation art, music, dance, juggling, harmonica performances, and singing bowls.

1. Festival Archive Exhibition - Dates: September 22–October 30, 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. - Location: Gallery Café Romantic House 2. 2026 SIEAF Colloquium - Dates: October 6, 3:00 PM–5:00 PM - Venue: Bitmaru Center 3. Rice Paddy Fashion Show - Dates: October 10, 3:00 PM–5:00 PM - Location: Misilan - Side Events and Programs: Artist, Senior, and Children’s Scarecrow Art Fashion Show / Goblin Rice Collection Relay 4. With Goblins & Toads - Date and Time: October 23, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM - Location: Special Stage at Arok Recreation Area, Gokseong - Side Events and Programs: SIEAF Opening Performance 5. Oxygen Concert - Date & Time: October 24, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM - Location: Okgwa Mugeun Forest - Side Events and Programs: Movement Healing Workshop 6. Flower Path Parade - Date & Time: October 25, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM - Location: Seomjin River Donghwa Garden - Side Events and Programs: Flower Parade Hands-On Activity, Flea Market, Parade Prop-Making Workshop