‘Bulhok 5·18’ Gwangju Autonomous District Commemorative Events Diverse

Pilgrimage Concert at Historic Sites, May Cultural Festival, and Flower Offering Ceremony

Kim Do-won, a May 18 custodian who is on duty at all times, is explaining the May 18 Democratic Uprising to citizens at a special exhibition held in the lobby on the first floor of the Seo-gu Office building in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, commemorating the 40th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] As the May 18 Democratic Uprising marks its 40th anniversary this year, autonomous districts in the Gwangju area are busier than in previous years.

On the afternoon of the 14th, around 3 p.m., at the lobby on the first floor of the Seo-gu Office building in Gwangju Metropolitan City, a special exhibition commemorating the 40th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising was being held.

Civilians were looking at a displayed record with a very serious expression.

It was a faded diary of an ordinary citizen from the May 18 period. Nearby, Kim Dowon, a May volunteer from the May 18 Memorial Foundation, was explaining the situation in Gwangju in May 1980.

Citizens who were looking around the photos and records while listening to Kim’s explanation nodded in understanding.

In this space, about 10 pyeong in size, a temporary wooden booth was installed to exhibit photos and records related to May 18. Citizens visiting the district office stopped by to take a moment to reflect once again on the May 18 uprising, which is now 40 years old.

Citizens listening to the May volunteer’s explanation while looking around the ‘timeline’ that organizes the progress of May 18 by time, the ‘card news’ that summarizes major events in an easy-to-understand way, the map of the Deulbul Martyrs and historic sites, nodded repeatedly.

Kim Yeonjeong (32, female) said, “I came to Seo-gu Office to get a certificate and stopped by for a moment. The May volunteer kindly gave a brief explanation, so as a citizen of Gwangju, I was able to think about May 18 once again,” adding, “I hope there will be more events that allow younger generations to feel May 18 in their daily lives, not just me.”

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, not only Seo-gu but also autonomous districts of Gwangju Metropolitan City are promoting or conducting various events.

First, Dong-gu is holding a ‘May 18 Democratic Uprising Memorial Citizen Flower Offering Event’ at the People’s Uprising Memorial Tower located in the May 18 Democratic Square until the 22nd. It is an event where anyone can participate by writing their own memorial message on a small flowerpot and offering flowers.

Also, 15 May 18 historic sites in the district and the stories of May contained there are being posted on the Dong-gu Office website and YouTube with calm explanations and performances.

With large-scale gatherings canceled due to social distancing from COVID-19, it is expected to be an opportunity to re-examine the May 18 historic sites and reflect on the meaning of that day.

Seo-gu is holding a special exhibition on the first floor lobby until the 22nd to mark the 40th anniversary of May 18. In addition to the Deulbul Martyrs, historic sites, and timeline, a May volunteer from the May 18 Memorial Foundation is stationed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to help citizens understand.

Along with this, a pilgrimage concert involving 2-3 representatives per instrument, accompaniment by a traditional Korean music group, and about 30 participants including the Seo-gu Women’s Choir will be held.

Starting at 4 p.m. on the 15th at the first-floor plaza of Seo-gu Office, the pilgrimage will continue to the Nongseong Square at 11 a.m. on the 16th, Yangdong Market at 1:30 p.m., and Gwangcheon-dong Cathedral at 3:30 p.m., visiting May 18 historic sites.

Nam-gu plans to revisit the Songam-dong and Hyochon Station massacre incidents during May 18 through the ‘40th Anniversary May 18 Nam-gu Forum’ on the 19th.

Also, on the 23rd at 10 a.m., a memorial cultural festival will be held at Hyochon Station Square with the families of May 18 victims to honor the spirits of those massacred at Songam-dong and Hyochon Station.

The festival will include a ritual performance (Ssikkimgut) and a cultural performance (a creative play) to reveal the truth of May 18 and commemorate the souls of the victims.

Buk-gu, where the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery is located, has set the support period until the 31st and is promoting measures to support commemorative events.

▲ Illegal advertisement cleanup ▲ Illegal street vendors, street clutter, and sidewalk environment maintenance ▲ Traffic guidance ▲ Green space maintenance and weeding ▲ Special cleaning of the entrance road to the democratic cemetery ▲ Street flag raising ▲ Democratic Road street lighting maintenance ▲ Operation of medical support teams and special disinfection, among eight key areas of focus. On the 15th, a memorial event including a visit to the memorial tower by the district head and senior officials and distribution of the 40th anniversary May 18 commemorative film ‘Nakhwa Janghyang’ is also being prepared.

Buk-gu is promoting a special project called ‘That Day of May, Us Today’ hosted by the Youth Executive Committee together with local residents and staff.

It was prepared to remember Gwangju in May 1980 and to reflect on the historical significance of the May 18 Democratic Uprising.

Until the 18th, about 30 photos depicting the uprising during May 18 will be exhibited on the outer wall of the office building under the theme ‘May 18, a Great Legacy.’ Also, a photo exhibition titled ‘Gwangju of That Day in 1980’ sharing the resilience of Gwangju citizens will be held, and the Youth Executive Committee’s May 18 vlog video will be posted in the main lobby and on Buk-gu Office’s official YouTube channel.

Earlier, on the 11th, they contributed to raising community spirit by sharing 518 servings of rice balls, symbolizing the spirit of unity, with local residents and district office officials.

On the 7th, they also held an environmental cleanup activity along the May Human Rights Road section from the main gate of Chonnam National University to Gwangju Station Square, commemorating the Gwangju spirit.

Gwangsan-gu is holding the ‘2020 Gwangsan May Culture Festival’ with various cultural and artistic events under the theme ‘Unwavering Yoon Sangwon on the 40th May 18’ until the 27th.

The festival focuses on the life and ideology of Yoon Sangwon, a martyr from Gwangsan-gu who served as the spokesperson for the citizen army during May 18.

On the 10th, the traditional play troupe ‘Nori Pae Shinmyeong’ opened the festival with the May traditional play ‘Someday in Spring,’ and on the 12th, the May Youth Concert Tuesday Cultural Walk ‘Scent of May’ was held.

On the anniversary day, the 18th, the Gwangsan-gu Choir, Gwangju Heungsadan Choir, and Pureunsol Choir will perform a choral concert titled ‘May International Exchange Music Concert’ to announce the 40th anniversary of May 18 to Asia.

Also, the 7th-floor conference room of Gwangsan-gu Office was renamed ‘Yoon Sangwon Hall,’ and on the 14th, a plaque ceremony was held with Yoon’s mother, Mrs. Kim Insook, and his younger brother, Yoon Taewon.

The interior walls of Yoon Sangwon Hall feature a mural composed of ‘Childhood and Youth,’ ‘May 18 and the Production of the Protest Newsletter,’ and ‘Spokesperson of the Citizen Army and the Last Moments,’ helping visitors understand Yoon Sangwon.

In particular, with the help of the Yoon Sangwon Memorial Association, photo materials such as the 6th issue of the ‘Protest Newsletter’ led by Yoon during May 18, the sheet music for the memorial song ‘March for the Beloved,’ and Yoon’s diary were added.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.