Jeollado Culture and Arts Promotion Foundation Established... Expectations for Revitalization of Traditional Markets in Jeollanam-do

Expecting Tourist Attraction and Revitalization with Performances at 116 Traditional Markets in the Province

At the Gaeraengi Welcome Center in Byeollyang-myeon, Suncheon City, members of the 'Jeonmunsa-hyeop' cooperative are holding the inaugural general meeting while wearing masks.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] The ‘Jeollado Culture and Arts Promotion Institute Social Cooperative’ (hereinafter referred to as Jeonmunsa-hyeop), established to revitalize 116 traditional markets in Jeonnam Province and create jobs for local cultural artists, held its inaugural general meeting on the 4th.

The inaugural general meeting, held at the Gaeraengi Welcome Center in Byeollyang-myeon, Suncheon City, was attended by about 100 members of Jeonmunsa-hyeop while complying with COVID-19 guidelines.

Jeonmunsa-hyeop, which held the inaugural general meeting this time, was established with the purpose of performing touring shows in traditional markets and island areas within the province that have not received cultural benefits.

Also, considering the reality where artists are struggling to make a living as all festivals and events nationwide are canceled due to the global spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, the artists themselves took the initiative to form the organization.

After the inaugural general meeting, the Jeollado Culture and Arts Promotion Institute registered as a social cooperative and began full-scale activities to revitalize the province’s traditional markets, which have been stagnating due to large discount stores and home shopping, by visiting them with cultural and artistic performances. They also plan to discover artists and introduce restaurants through ‘Jeollado TV’ YouTube channel, expand stages for artists, and create jobs.

Choi Jong-pil, the first chairman of Jeonmunsa-hyeop, said in his inaugural address, “Although the situation is difficult, our artists will take the lead in prioritizing underprivileged local governments by performing in traditional markets and operating youth cultural arts projects such as hosting writing contests to create vibrant traditional markets.”

Chairman Choi continued, “Due to the spread of COVID-19, the atmosphere in traditional markets is currently depressed,” adding, “We will encourage them and make every effort to attract tourists.” He also expressed high expectations, saying, “By providing various performance opportunities to the members attending the inaugural general meeting, we look forward to passionate performances on stage.”

Thus, in a reality where traditional market revitalization led by local governments has not achieved significant results, it is expected that local cultural artists will directly provide attractions to local residents and tourists visiting traditional markets through performances, thereby contributing to the local economy.

Meanwhile, after the inaugural general meeting, a ‘Godeulppaegi Music Concert’ was held at Gaeraengi Godeulppaegi Village to promote Godeulppaegi, a specialty of Suncheon City, providing entertainment and enjoyment to local residents and receiving favorable reviews from them.

Starting from this inaugural general meeting of Jeonmunsa-hyeop, as the requirements for establishing a social cooperative are met, plans are underway to submit approval applications to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Strategy and Finance.

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