Seongdong-gu Eungbongsan Gaenari Festival 'Cancelled'

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The distant view of Eungbongsan in Seongdong-gu, a famous spot for forsythia in Seoul

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Seongdong-gu (District Mayor Jeong Won-oh) has decided to cancel the ‘Eungbongsan Forsythia Festival,’ which was scheduled to be held around the end of March at Eungbongsan, to ensure the safety of residents amid the prolonged Level 2 social distancing measures in the metropolitan area to prevent COVID-19 infection.

The ‘Eungbongsan Forsythia Festival’ is Seongdong-gu’s representative spring flower festival that brings joy every spring with the blooming forsythia and various events. It has established itself as a major spring flower festival enjoyed not only by residents of Seongdong-gu but also by citizens across Seoul.

However, due to the prolonged COVID-19 situation, the district has decided not to hold the festival this year as well, just like last year, to ensure residents’ safety. Consequently, all spring flower festivals scheduled for March and April, including the ‘Eungbongsan Forsythia Festival,’ ‘Songjeong Village Cherry Blossom Festival,’ and ‘Geumhosan Cherry Blossom Festival,’ have been canceled.

Instead, the district will prepare thoroughly to prevent infectious diseases among residents.

As it is expected that residents and visitors will come to Eungbongsan when the forsythia blooms in full, staff will be stationed at the mountain summit and park entrances to guide social distancing and mask-wearing, ensuring strict management of quarantine measures.

In particular, on the upcoming weekend of March 27, Eungbongsan will be completely closed from 9 a.m. on the 27th until 8 p.m. on the 28th.

On the other hand, to allow residents who find it difficult to visit Eungbongsan due to COVID-19 to enjoy the yellow-hued beauty of the mountain, various videos will be filmed and shared through the district’s official website and YouTube channel to share the scenic views of Eungbongsan with the community.

Additionally, in April, local students will participate in a non-face-to-face writing and drawing contest, where they will watch pre-recorded videos of local spring flower spots and then write poems, essays, or draw pictures. This event aims to provide psychological relief opportunities for students who are struggling to adapt to the significant changes caused by social distancing.

Jeong Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, stated, “It is very unfortunate to cancel the spring flower festivals, including the Eungbongsan Forsythia Festival, our district’s largest spring flower festival, but above all, the lives and safety of our residents are the top priority. We ask for the generous understanding of our residents,” and added, “We hope everyone will join the Eungbongsan Forsythia Festival in spirit this year as well.”

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