Ansan to Hold Residents' Self-Governance and Village Communities Expo on Oct. 23-24 for 40th Anniversary as a City

Events consolidated to mark 40th anniversary of city status
41 hands-on and information spaces to be set up

Ansan City, Gyeonggi Province, said on October 20 that it will hold the “2026 Ansan Residents' Self-Governance with Village Communities Expo” on October 23 and 24 at and around the Ansan Culture and Arts Center.

Poster for the Residents' Autonomy and Village Community Expo commemorating the 40th anniversary of Ansan's elevation to city status. Provided by Ansan City.

Marking the 40th anniversary of Ansan's elevation to city status, the expo will be held under the theme “Bringing Self-Governance and Villages Together to Connect Ansan to Tomorrow.” It brings together the former residents' self-governance training program, the residents' self-governance center cultural program competition, and the Village Self-Governance Festival to share the achievements of residents' self-governing councils and village communities.

On the first day, October 23, the Ansan City Choir will give a pre-ceremony performance, followed by the opening ceremony and a vision proclamation. The event will look back on the history of residents' self-governing councils and village communities and present a path forward based on citizen participation and cooperation.

The outdoor plaza will feature 41 hands-on and information spaces across four themes: care, learning, climate and the environment, and food. Programs reflecting the character of residents' self-governing councils and village communities will include sharing houseplants, making cookies, leather crafts, and activities focused on resource circulation.

A special exhibition marking the 40th anniversary of Ansan's elevation to city status will be held in the lobby of Haedoji Theater. It will showcase the history and major achievements of residents' self-governing councils and village communities, as well as works by students at residents' self-governance centers.

That afternoon, a “Village Self-Governance Activities Case Sharing Session” will present examples of change in the local community. The event will also discuss how village self-governance can develop further through a talk concert and a public forum.

On October 24, a conference on community-based care and a residents' self-governance center cultural competition will follow. The conference will examine resident-led care initiatives and ways to operate them sustainably. Representative teams from 19 neighborhoods will take part in the cultural competition, presenting acoustic guitar performances, Nanta drumming, line dancing, and traditional Korean percussion performances.

The expo will be held in conjunction with Ansan Festa 2026.

Ansan Mayor Lee Min-geun said, “Residents' self-governing councils and village communities are an important foundation for residents to discuss local issues together and work toward solutions. I hope this expo will provide an opportunity to share the results of their activities to date and help advance residents' self-governance and village communities in Ansan through citizen participation.”

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