Seodaemun-gu Promotes Autobiography Writing Project for Seniors

Writing Autobiographies, Drawing Minhwa, Providing Health Promotion Videos, etc.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Moon Seok-jin) will promote the ‘Happiness Time Machine Project’ from September to November with programs such as ▲writing autobiographies ▲painting Minhwa (traditional Korean folk paintings) ▲providing health promotion videos.

The district has been carrying out this project annually since 2015 through university students’ talent donations and resident volunteer work so that the elderly generation can leave records containing their life stories.

So far, the project has brought participants a sense of fulfillment and happiness through activities such as portrait drawing, creating life story videos and framed nostalgic photos, writing life notes, and writing autobiographies.

This year, 14 people are participating in the third year of the ‘autobiography writing’ program, which is expected to be an opportunity to look back on their past lives and pass on their life journeys and wisdom to future generations.

Professors and students from the Creative Writing Department of Myongji College will volunteer their talents to assist with the autobiography writing.

The district will compile the writings of the elderly into a book (‘I Will Live on the Slopes of Ansan’ Vol.3) and present it to them.

Residents aged 65 or older in Seodaemun-gu who wish to participate in autobiography writing can apply to the Senior Welfare Division of Seodaemun-gu Office by September 4.

This year, due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the district has newly prepared non-face-to-face projects.

About 140 elderly living alone will participate in ‘Minhwa painting.’ The district will deliver painting templates such as fish, peonies, and rocks, along with coloring tools, and participants will complete their artworks at home. Customized care service workers for the elderly will provide support as needed.

Through this program, it is expected that participants will alleviate daily boredom, gain a sense of accomplishment, and help prevent dementia through delicate handwork. The district plans to hold an exhibition of the completed Minhwa artworks at the end of the year.

Students from Myongji College will also volunteer to provide ‘health promotion videos.’

The students will produce a video titled ‘Health 100-Year Passionate Applause’ to help the elderly enjoyably follow along, increase physical activity, and improve their health.

This video can be viewed on YouTube or through the online broadcast of the Seodaemun Senior Welfare Center, and text messages will be sent to elderly users of the welfare center to guide them to access the site.

Moon Seok-jin, Mayor of Seodaemun-gu, said, “I hope that through the Happiness Time Machine, the lives of the elderly will be meaningfully remembered by future generations, generations will communicate, and the happiness of the local community will increase,” adding, “We will continue to develop new projects suitable for the post-COVID-19 era.”

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