100th Anniversary of Hangeul Day Enactment: 'Hangeul Week' Brings Performances, Exhibitions, and Experiences Nationwide

Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to Host "Hangeul Week" from October 6 to 17

To mark the 100th anniversary of Hangul Day and the 580th anniversary of the proclamation of Hunminjeongeum, events reflecting on the past century of Hangul and highlighting its future will be held across the country.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will host the '2026 Hangul Week' from October 6 to October 17, in collaboration with major Hangul-related organizations, the National Institute of the Korean Language and Culture Centers, and local governments at venues including Gwanghwamun Square and various locations nationwide. This year’s theme is "Hangul by My Side."

From October 6 to October 8, the "2026 Hangul Festival–Gwanghwamun" will take place at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Highlights will include the musicals "By My Side, You in Hanbok" and "Got-geul," the poetry, music, and story concert "Read, Walk, and Sing," as well as performances by indie bands "Far East Asian Tigers" and "Yangbandeul." Over 20 experiential zones will be available, such as a Hangul playground for children, calligraphy exhibitions and experiences, the Hangul Garden, and National Hangul Museum programs.

At 7 p.m. on October 8, the Hangul Day Eve Festival will take place. The event will begin by illuminating 100 lights to symbolize the 100th anniversary of Hangul Day, followed by performances from K-pop group "Atheart" and indie band "Broccoli, You Too." There will also be a segment where international students from King Sejong Institute and citizens will recite "The Meaning of Hangul."

The Eve Festival will conclude with the media facade "Twenty-Four, Universe," displayed on the outer wall of Gwanghwamun. The video artwork will depict 24 Hangul consonants and vowels emerging from the darkness of ink, evolving into constellations, nature, and life, then coming together with Gwanghwamun’s dancheong patterns under a single name. This piece will be screened from October 8 to October 11, between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.

During this period, the "2026 Hangul Cultural Industry Exhibition" will also be held at Gwanghwamun Square. Organized by the National Hangul Museum, the exhibition will showcase and sell various Hangul-themed cultural products and content, and run experiential programs. The exhibition will feature media art reinterpretations of "Cheongguyeongeon," a classic collection of Korean lyrics, alongside K-pop music, video content, furniture, household items, stationery, and more. A "Hangul Industry Business Center" will be operated to connect domestic and international buyers with participating companies.

On October 12, the 100th Anniversary of Hangul Day Academic Conference will take place at the National Museum of Korea under the theme "Milestones of 100 Years of Hangul Day—Hangul, Crossing Boundaries and Opening the Future of the Korean Language." Domestic and international researchers will discuss the future of Hangul and the Korean language amidst the global spread of K-Culture and the changes brought by the era of artificial intelligence (AI).

Various related events will also be held nationwide throughout Hangul Week. These include the National Hangul Museum’s special exhibition "One-Nine-Takeoff, Infinite-Takeoff," the National Museum of World Writing Systems’ special exhibition "Hunmaengjeongeum," the National Institute of Korean Language’s nationwide argumentative writing contest, Sejong Special Autonomous City’s "2026 Sejong Hangul Festival" and "Hangul Run," among others. 22 language and culture centers across the country will host Hangul-related cultural experiences, competitions, and book report contests.

Detailed information on these events can be found on the official website.

Minister Choi Hwiyeong of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism stated, "The 'Hangul Week' commemorating the 100th anniversary of Hangul Day has been prepared as a festival that embraces the past, present, and future of Hangul. Hangul is the driving force behind the blooming of our culture, and as Korean culture, known as ‘K-Culture,’ enjoys worldwide appreciation, I look forward to seeing Hangul, which has stayed by our side, continue into a new future beyond its first 100 years."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.