Cittaslow International at the 2026 World Island Exhibition Yeosu Korea

Cittaslow International will take part in the 2026 World Island Exhibition Yeosu Korea, the world's first international exhibition entirely dedicated to islands, running in Yeosu, South Korea, from 5 September to 4 November 2026. The event brings together island communities from around the world to share ideas on culture, sustainability and the future of the marine environment.

The network's presence in Yeosu is the result of an agreement between the Cittaslow Corea Network and the 2026 World Island Exhibition Yeosu Korea Committee, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at ensuring a successful collaboration between the two organisations. Building on this partnership, and with the support of Cittaslow International, the Cittaslow Corea Network invited a group of member island cities to join the exhibition, and their participation has now been confirmed.

A truly international Cittaslow delegation

Alongside the Cittaslow International Head Office, four cities from three countries will represent the network on-site:

Cittaslow Corea — the host network, whose collaboration with the exhibition committee made the Cittaslow presence possible

Nicolosi, representing Cittaslow Italia

La Orotava, representing Cittaslow Spain

Gökçeada, representing Cittaslow Turkey

For a full month, from 5 September to 4 October, these cities — together with the Cittaslow International Head Office — will run a dedicated exhibition booth. Visitors will be able to discover the history, culture and identity of each island town through exhibits, artworks and local specialities, offering a direct encounter with the "slow" way of life that defines the Cittaslow philosophy.

Islands as a stage for the Cittaslow philosophy

The exhibition's broader ambition fits naturally with Cittaslow's own values. Organised jointly by Jeollanam-do Province and Yeosu City, the event is designed as a multi-venue, experiential festival in which islands themselves become testing grounds for sustainable development, cultural exchange and environmental care — themes that lie at the heart of the Cittaslow network's global mission. Dozens of countries and international organisations are expected to take part overall, giving the participating Cittaslow cities visibility on a genuinely global stage.

Through this collaboration, Cittaslow International reaffirms its commitment to giving small and island communities — often perceived as remote — a platform to share their good living practices with