More than 200 silk lanterns from Jinju are lighting up Hong Kong this fall after the city’s signature cultural works were purchased for display at the 2026 International Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival.
The Jinju government announced that the Hong Kong Tourism Board purchased the lanterns for the festival’s World Lantern Street at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, marking a significant step in bringing the city’s traditional lantern culture to an international audience.
The deal follows a series of Jinju silk lantern exhibitions in Germany, Hungary and Poland organized through the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s Touring K-Arts program.
After encountering the lanterns through the European exhibitions, representatives in Hong Kong identified them as a potential showcase of Korean lantern culture. The Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong subsequently introduced the works to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, leading to an official invitation, discussions and the eventual purchase of more than 200 lanterns.
Unlike previous overseas exhibitions where lanterns may have been temporarily provided for display, the Hong Kong Tourism Board directly purchased the works. Jinju officials said the sale demonstrates the commercial potential of the city’s cultural content, which combines locally produced Jinju silk with traditional lantern-making techniques.
This year marks the first International Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival, expanding on Hong Kong’s existing Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations. World Lantern Street brings together lanterns representing the cultures and traditional crafts of several countries.
Jinju’s lanterns are displayed in the South Korean section, highlighting the distinctive colors and soft illumination of Jinju silk alongside techniques associated with the city’s long-standing lantern tradition.
The festival continues through October 4 at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay.
Lanterns are illuminated daily from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., and admission is free.
