The 2024 A+ Festival, Korea’s largest culture and arts festival for persons with disabilities, is taking place from September 27 (Fri) to 29 (Sun) at Cheong Wa Dae’s Chunchugwan and Helipad. This festival is hosted by the Federation of Disability Culture & Arts Association of Korea (President BAE Eun Joo, FDCA), with the 2024 A+ Festival Organizing Committee (Chairman KIM Seung Soo) and is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister YU In Chon, MCST). MCST Second vice Minister JANG Mi Ran will attend the opening ceremony at Cheong Wa Dae’s Helipad on September 27 at 4PM to celebrate the start of the festival and encourage the participating artists with disabilities.

Diverse Performances and Exhibitions by Artists with Disabilities Under the Theme “Shine and Reflect”

Now in its 16th year, A+ Festival is a celebration of artistic expression without limits. It showcases the talents of artists with disabilities across various fields, including the visual arts, calligraphy, theater, dance, and orchestra performances. This year’s theme, “Shine and Reflect,” highlights the power of art in helping artists with disabilities overcome the challenges they face, creating a space where everyone can shine.

Content creator PARK Wi will host the opening ceremony on September 27, which will also feature a special performance by an arts company of talented performers with disabilities. Over the following two days, September 28 and 29, the Helipad will serve as a venue for showcasing a variety of performances, including theater, dance, and original musicals, as well as hands-on activities such as badge-making and portrait-drawing for visitors.

During the festival (September 27–29), the second-floor briefing room of Cheong Wa Dae’s Chunchugwan will display works by artists with disabilities. The exhibitions include “Hug” showcasing contest winners’ works, “Korea Disabled Calligraphy Exhibition” featuring traditional Korean art, and “International Exchange Exhibition of South Korea, China, and Japan” presenting works by artists from these three East Asian countries.

The festival is open to all for free, and more details can be found on the FDCA’s website (www.fdca.or.kr).

MCST Vice Minister JANG stated, “This year’s A+ Festival is expected to serve as a powerful testament to the unifying force of art that transcends the boundaries between individuals with disabilities and those without disabilities.” She further reiterated, “MCST will continue to support artists with disabilities so they can shine even brighter through their art.”