Andong is a treasure trove of Korea’s history and culture, preserving diverse heritage from each era. It stands at the very heart of Korea’s spiritual and intellectual tradition, often referred to as the “Capital of Korean Spiritual Culture.”
Andong is also a “living city of the humanities,” where Confucian traditions coexist with modern culture. The city is home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Hahoe Village, Byeongsan Seowon, Bongjeongsa Temple, and Dosan Seowon, as well as UNESCO Memory of the World items, including the Archives of the National Debt Redemption Movement and Confucian Printing Woodblocks. These are living legacies of Korea’s spiritual culture sustained over centuries, embodying UNESCO’s values of sustainable development and cultural diversity.
At the same time, Andong nurtures a vibrant lifestyle culture rooted in Confucian values, artistic activities bridging tradition and modernity, and a strong sense of hospitality and community among its people.
Events such as the Andong International Mask Dance Festival and traditional food festivals provide a cultural stage where people from around the world can come together and participate.
Through this Forum, participants will experience the connection of past, present, and future. Even after the Forum concludes, Andong will continue to serve as a “Sustainable, Humanities-based platform for regional innovation.”