Seven top-tier dance troupes from across the globe take the stage Wednesday at 7 p.m. — from Russian Cossack dances to Tahitian live percussion — free and open to all.
Seoul's Seongdong-gu will host the "2026 World Folk Dance Festival" at a special outdoor stage in Wangsimni Square on Wednesday at 7 p.m., bringing together traditional folk dances from seven countries in one place.
Now in its ninth edition, the World Folk Dance Festival was first held in 2015 and has since grown into one of Seongdong-gu's signature international cultural exchange events. Using dance as a shared language, the annual gathering brings residents and participating groups together to share traditions and cultures from around the world.
This year, seven teams from seven countries will take the stage. Six international troupes will each present their own performances: Russia (dynamic Cossack dances in elaborate traditional costumes), Argentina (regional traditional dances including the chacarera), Panama (vibrant folk dances accompanied by live traditional instruments), Bulgaria (folk dances rooted in the country's distinctive rhythms and cultural heritage), Kazakhstan (a performance blending tradition and artistry) and Tahiti (an exotic stage featuring live percussion).
Representing Korea, the Yeoul Dance Company will showcase the beauty and artistry of Korean traditional dance, completing the program alongside the international performances. Audiences can experience the dances and music of many nations in one sitting — a chance to embark on a kind of world journey through movement and melody on a cool autumn night at Wangsimni Square.
The festival runs from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Admission is free and open to everyone.
Seongdong-gu District Mayor Yoo Bo-hwa said the festival is "a place to share and exchange the cultures of countries around the world through the common language of dance," adding, "I hope everyone will join us for a special evening of world travel through dance and music at Wangsimni Square on this deepening autumn night."
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