Yeonggwang-gun Cancels 'Bulgapsan Sangsa Flower Festival' Due to COVID-19 Impact

Published 23 Aug.2021 14:22(KST)

[Yeonggwang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jeonseong] Jeollanam-do Yeonggwang-gun (Governor Kim Junsung) announced on the 23rd that the 21st Yeonggwang Bulgapsan Sangsa Flower Festival will be completely canceled for the safety of residents and tourists due to the continued strengthened social distancing amid the nationwide spread of COVID-19.

Originally, the Sangsa Flower Festival was planned to be held both online and offline depending on the COVID-19 situation and social distancing levels, but due to the recent spread of COVID-19 and the continuation of level 3 social distancing in non-metropolitan areas, the festival organizing committee and related organizations decided to cancel the festival after consultation.

The Yeonggwang Bulgapsan Sangsa Flower Festival Organizing Committee (Chairman Kim Yongsik) worked hard to prepare the festival with the county to hold it online only, excluding offline events, but considering various conditions such as the effectiveness of the online festival and the increase in tourists visiting the tourist site, the festival was ultimately canceled.

Despite the cancellation of the festival, the county expects many tourists to visit Bulgapsa tourist site in mid-next month to see the blooming Sangsa flowers, which bloom during that period, and plans to focus all efforts on preventing the spread of COVID-19 through quarantine measures at the tourist site, such as temperature checks and social distancing operations.

Governor Kim Junsung said, “It is regrettable that the Yeonggwang Bulgapsan Sangsa Flower Festival, a representative autumn flower festival, has been canceled, but this decision was made prioritizing the safety of residents and tourists.”

He added, “I hope all citizens will cooperate actively in complying with quarantine guidelines with one heart and one mind. Please look forward to the Sangsa flowers and festival blooming even more beautifully next year after taking a break this year.”