Opening Ceremony of 'Gwangju History and Folklore Museum' Held

On the morning of the 27th, Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, attended the opening ceremony of the Gwangju History and Folklore Museum in Buk-gu, and after the unveiling ceremony with guests including Jang Hwi-guk, Superintendent of Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education, Jang Jae-seong, Vice Chairman of Gwangju City Council, and Moon In, Mayor of Buk-gu, they took a commemorative photo. Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the morning of the 27th that it held an opening ceremony at the Gwangju History and Folklore Museum, attended by Mayor Lee Yong-seop, Vice Chairman Jang Jae-seong of the Gwangju City Council, Superintendent Jang Hwi-guk of Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education, Moon In, Mayor of Buk-gu, Lee Su-mi, Director of the National Gwangju Museum, and Kim Oh-sung, Director of the Gwangju History and Folklore Museum.

The event proceeded in the order of the museum director’s progress report, Mayor Lee Yong-seop’s commemorative speech, unveiling ceremony, tour of the permanent exhibition hall, and viewing of the 40th anniversary exhibition of the May 18 Democratic Movement.

The Gwangju History and Folklore Museum was newly opened after changing its name from the Gwangju Municipal Folklore Museum, following a three-year project of ‘museum renovation and historical space establishment’ that included repairing aging facilities, reorganizing the existing folklore exhibition hall, and adding a modern history exhibition space of Gwangju.

The renovated first-floor Namdo Folklore Room offers a comprehensive look at the lives of ancestors through various themes related to the region’s beautiful landscapes, clothing, food, housing, livelihoods, handicrafts, and the unique arts of Namdo.

In particular, the ‘Buncheong Ware Jar with Jeollado Inscription’ (Gwangju Cultural Property No. 23) displayed at the introduction, engraved with the characters ‘全??道’ (Jeollado), informs visitors that our region was renowned as a representative production area of Buncheong ware during the Joseon Dynasty.

The newly established second-floor Gwangju Modern History Room introduces Gwangju centered on the Gwangju Eupseong (fortress) during the Joseon Dynasty, showcasing the lives of the fortress residents and Gwangju as a base of loyalty and righteousness.

Although it was a meaningful place that functioned as a militia office in times of crisis as the gateway to Gwangju, the Jeollyangru Pavilion, which disappeared during the Japanese colonial period, has been recreated, and a large model of Gwangju Eupseong conveys the old appearance of Gwangju close to its original form.

Along with various materials related to local militia leaders General Go Gyeong-myeong and General Kim Deok-ryeong during the Imjin War, the exhibition includes the activities of Honam militias who led the anti-Japanese movement in the late Joseon period, as well as materials related to democratization struggles such as the April 19 Revolution and the May 18 Democratic Movement, allowing visitors to reflect on the history of just Gwangju and take pride in it.

Mayor Lee Yong-seop emphasized, “History holds strong power when it is recorded and remembered correctly,” adding, “The just history and culture of Gwangju citizens, who turned the tide of history by following the spirit of the times and the greater good during difficult times for the country such as militia activities, independence movements, and democratization movements, have been engraved here as ‘Gwangju History’ in this History and Folklore Museum.”

He continued, “Starting with the opening of the Gwangju History and Folklore Museum, we will spare no support in making what is most Gwangju-like into the most competitive, and accelerate efforts to brand Gwangju’s unique charms such as the justice of Uihyang Gwangju, the traditional culture and arts of Yehyang Gwangju, and the flavorful cuisine of Mihyang Gwangju.”

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