Provincial Governor Kim Moon-soo, Prime Minister Han Deok-soo, Chairman of IAC Janet Mansfield, Park Chul and Lee Se-na hung wind-bells that they had signed with their autographs on Sorinamu, a 12-meter tall tree. The melody made by the ceramic wind-bells after they were hung was quite beautiful. The unveiling ceremony will be to complete the tree, by hanging a total of 2007 wind-bells from it.

Governor Kim said, “About half of the potters in the nation are in Gyeonggi Province. In addition, high quality clay, a good material for ceramic art is easy to find all over the country, including much of our provincial areas such as Gwangju, Yeoju, Gyoyang, and Gwanak Mountain. I am more than convinced that we can regain our glory and fame as one of the founding states of the ceramic arts, and furthermore, can become a formidable leader in the field. We need to make our utmost efforts to use the creative outcome of World Ceramic Biennale to enhance the artistry of ceramics, and lay a solid foundation to become a global leader in ceramic art and industry, by developing the art in an industrial and cutting-edge direction as well.

In his celebratory speech, Prime Minister Han Deok-soo said, “Since it began in 2001 as a Ceramic Expo, the World Ceramic Biennale has grown into a channel for the promotion of Korean ceramic art to the world, and an international festival where potters, artists, and ceramic art across the globe can create a wonderful harmony.” He also added, “The Korean government will extend all possible support in its reach to make Gyeonggi Province, the largest ceramic industry cluster in the country, and to develop a world-class competitive edge in ceramic art.”
Following the speech, Governor of Gyeonggi Province Kim Moon-soo, Prime Minister Han Deok-soo, Mayor of Icheon City Cho Byeong-don, Mayor of Gwangji City Cho Uk-dong, and Governor of Yeoji County Lee Ki-ju participated in the opening ceremony by lighting a model kiln and announced the official start of the World Ceramic Biennale.
To wish for the success of the Biennale, a celebratory event is held when the exhibition center is opened. Honored guests entered the center to view the art works.

The opening ceremony was followed by a variety of celebrating performances, including a concert featuring the singer Insooni, Promotional Ambassador of Gyeonggi Province, the male pop opera group Lasperanza, and the Kazakhstan Folk Art Group.

Diverse weekend programs including “Clay Play with Family”

After the opening ceremony on the 27th, the 4th World Ceramic Biennale kicks off in earnest from Apr.28th.

The Biennale will be held in three venues in Icheon, Gwangju, and Yeoju in Gyeonggi Province and will present 686 ceramic and clay artworks from 40 countries, including China, Japan, India, Indonesia, and Australia.

Icheon World Ceramic Center will exhibit works that won awards in the formative art section in the 4th International Ceramic Contest, and offers a World Contemporary Ceramic on Asia exhibition, that reveals the diverse ideas of renowned ceramic artists from around the world.

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relationships between Korea and Turkey, Joseon Royal Kiln Museum in Gwangju opens the Crossroad of Ceramics exhibition, which displays 173 traditional Turkish ceramics from Topkapi Palace Museum in Turkey, one of the three major artistic collections of ceramics in the world. The museum will also offer an exhibition of ceramic artworks which won awards in the second Ceramic Korea Contest, the only contest in the nation for traditional ceramic art.
Yeoju World Ceramic Livingware Gallery provides Ceramic House III, the most popular exhibition in both the second and the third Biennales. Ceramic House III is a house full of astonishingly beautiful ceramic art works, which somehow still holds the value of utility and convenience. As well, the Gallery will open a special exhibition under the theme of Vessels for Meditation, which will display ceramic works that inspire religious meditation.

The three festival venues – Icheon, Gwangju, and Yeoju – will also offer diverse programs and events, including the Play Clay program, where kids, teenagers, and the whole family can play with clay and become potters themselves; Clay Festival, where visitors and ceramic artists work together; and the Pit Fringe Festival, which will feature amateur bands and b-boy performances.