The Chungbuk Provincial Government and the Chungbuk Culture and Arts Foundation (CEO Kim Kyung-shik) announced that they will host the "Ddanjit Festival"—the second event of the 2026 Chungbuk Culture and Arts Exhibition series—on Saturday, November 7, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM around the Chungbuk Culture and Arts Complex (formerly the Autonomous Decentralization Training Institute) in Gadeok-myeon, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju.

This festival aims to explore new ways to utilize the former training institute by integrating arts, creation, ecology, and play into its traditional educational and training functions, thereby showcasing its potential as a new multi-cultural complex. Under the theme "Play well and rest well through art... Even slackin' off is art!", the event is designed to expand everyday "rest" and "downtime (ddanjit)" into cultural and artistic activities while providing opportunities for intergenerational communication.

The venue will feature five sensory-satisfying themed zones: ▲ Ddanjit Zone: Cultural and arts experiences, ▲ Eat Zone: A variety of foods, ▲ Shop Zone: Art markets and garage sales, ▲ Play Zone: Nostalgic games, and ▲ Lounge Zone: Performances and relaxation, allowing visitors to stay and enjoy themselves freely.

Key programs include "Picnic with Artists," a special day spent with residency artists; "Ddanjit Workshop," an arts experience booth; and "It's Okay to Beat," a percussion experience and parade utilizing everyday percussion instruments. Notably, the "Rhythm Circle" performance—combining Brazilian percussion with traditional Korean rhythms—will offer a special stage where visitors can participate together.

In addition, unique participatory programs will be held, such as the intergenerational "Mung (Blank Out) Playground," a talent showcase titled "Brag About Anything You've Got," the "Ddanjit Autumn Sports Day," and the "Treasure Quest" designed to introduce Chungbuk's literary and artistic assets.

For family visitors, there will be the "Bubble Magic Show" and "Sapi's Dtanjit Show," as well as live performances by "SEOHARoad," a crossover group blending haegeum (traditional Korean string instrument) and jazz.

In the open play spaces, visitors can enjoy play and relaxation side-by-side with activities like "Lying on the Grass and Doing Nothing" and "Drawing on the Ground." Furthermore, the "Ddanjit Market," featuring 50 teams of local citizen sellers, will share the value of resource circulation through the sale and exchange of secondhand and vintage goods.

Kim Kyung-shik, CEO of the Chungbuk Culture and Arts Foundation, stated, "This Dtanjit Festival is a celebration where anyone can naturally experience culture and art through everyday play and rest. We hope this event serves as an opportunity for the former training institute to establish itself as an open cultural playground for residents and a space for creation and exchange for local artists."

The festival is open to everyone, and some hands-on programs will operate through a combination of advance registration (https://linktr.ee/ddanjit_festival) and on-site participation. Detailed information can be found on the official website and social media channels of the Chungbuk Culture and Arts Foundation, or by contacting the Chungbuk Culture and Arts Complex Operation Team (☎ 043-299-9385).

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