Daegu City Declares 'Daegu Spirit' on National Debt Repayment Movement Memorial Day... 'Citizen Week' from the 21st

Daegu Gyeongbuk's First National Memorial Day Until the 28th... "Transforming into a Driving Force to Overcome COVID-19"

A monument commemorating the inscription of the National Debt Repayment Movement records on UNESCO.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Dong-wook] Starting from the 21st, which is both the National Debt Redemption Movement Memorial Day and the new Daegu Citizens' Day, '2021 Daegu Citizens' Week' will be held with various cultural events until the 28th.

Daegu City has been proclaiming and operating 'Daegu Citizens' Week' every February since 2017 to revive the great spirit of its citizens who stood up resolutely whenever the country faced difficulties.

The first day of Citizens' Week, the 21st, is both the National Debt Redemption Movement Memorial Day and the new Daegu Citizens' Day. The date for Daegu Citizens' Day was changed from the previous October 8th to a more meaningful day symbolizing the region's history and identity, reflecting public opinion. However, the event was canceled last year as COVID-19 rapidly spread just three days before the proclamation.

The records of the National Debt Redemption Movement, the world's first citizen-led economic sovereignty protection movement, were registered as UNESCO Memory of the World in October 30, 2017. Additionally, the 2·28 Democratic Movement, led mainly by high school students in the Daegu area and recognized as Korea's first democratization movement, was designated as a national memorial day on February 6, 2018, the first such designation in Daegu and Gyeongbuk. This movement has been acknowledged domestically and internationally as a proud spirit of Daegu.

This year's slogan for Daegu City's 'Citizens' Week' is "At the center of K-quarantine, proud to be Daegu citizens." Over 60 programs including contests, concerts, and film screenings will be held across four categories: 'Spreading the Daegu Spirit,' 'Here and Now, We Are Daegu People,' 'Daegu People Overflowing with Artistic Passion and Talent,' and 'Non-face-to-face Healing Content.'

New 'Daegu Citizens' Day' Ceremony Held for the First Time on the 21st
...Last year’s proclamation canceled three days prior due to COVID-19, causing 'pain'

The new Citizens' Day ceremony will be held at 2:30 PM on the 21st at the Palgong Hall of the Culture and Arts Center.

The ceremony will include awards for the 114th National Debt Redemption Movement contributors, the 44th Proud Citizen Awards, and a two-part 15-minute each musical drama depicting key scenes from local modern history, from the National Debt Redemption Movement to overcoming COVID-19, performed by members of the municipal theater troupe and local artists.

At the end of the ceremony, citizen heroes who contributed to overcoming COVID-19 will appear and perform a handprint stamping performance symbolizing promises and commitments together with guests and 221 citizens who participated online in advance. The event will conclude with a congratulatory performance of the Daegu anthem (Hometown Where Apple Blossoms Bloom).

The 2021 Daegu Citizens' Week has increased both quantitatively and qualitatively the benefits most felt by citizens. Last year, there were 26 locations in three categories including amusement facilities, performances, and exhibitions; this year, it has expanded to 42 locations across six categories including experience programs, indoor zoos, food alleys, and distribution. Notably, linkage with integrated cultural vouchers accessible to vulnerable groups has also been introduced.

To provide a full week of attractions and entertainment, 10 experience, exhibition, and performance programs will continue throughout Citizens' Week. In the sports category, the 'Mask Wear GO' citizen spirit walking program will continue until the end of April at the National Debt Redemption Memorial Park and Duryu Park.

Also, the 'Colorful Hon(ja)un(dong) Challenge' will run from the 8th to the 28th. After watching the Colorful Honun Challenge video, participants who cover or parody the Daegu Strongest Vaccine Gymnastics will receive mobile gift certificates (10,000 KRW) for the first 221 participants, and popular works can win prizes up to 500,000 KRW.

Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin emphasized, "This Citizens' Week event will be an opportunity to further inherit and develop the great and proud Daegu spirit, which has been passed down in our hearts through the National Debt Redemption Movement and the 2·28 Democratic Movement, and reaffirmed once again through overcoming COVID-19."

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