The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that it would partially open the Asia Culture Center in Gwangju to the public this Friday.

The complex’s facilities such as the ACC Archive & Research, ACC Creation, ACC Theatre and ACC Children centers will hold cultural programs everyday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. They will also invite people to tour the facilities three times a day. The plaza of the ACC will be open until 10 p.m., the ministry noted.

However, the ACC Cultural Exchange will not be opened like the rest as it is still under construction.

The Archive & Research Center will hold archive exhibitions commemorating 40 years of diplomatic relations between Korea and Singapore, featuring photographs, architecture and designs representing Asia.

The Creation Center will also hold an exhibition designed by world-renowned visual artist and curator Anselm Franke, while the ACC Theatre will show 33 art films, including ones that gained recognition at international film festivals, including Cannes.

The ACC Children will hold parades and performances not only in the center but also on streets of Gwangju.

"The partial opening of the Asia Culture Center and its programs is to show its progress to the public that it will be ready for the official opening in November this year,” said Bang Sun-gyu, the acting chief of the ACC, in a press statement.

"We will aim to develop the Asia Culture Center as Korea’s national icon and brand.”

Prior to the partial opening of the ACC, the center will hold a festival on Sept. 3 at night featuring musical performances such as jazz, opera and traditional music, and laser shows.

It will also hold a tour of the ACC for some 100 people on the same day for about 40 minutes. For more information, visit acc.go.kr, or call (062) 410-3209.

By Park Hyong-ki (hkp@heraldcorp.com)