Gwangju Dong-gu Launches 'Fountain of Light' Project at 5·18 Democracy Square

Image of the Fountain of Light. Photo by Dong-gu Office

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Cho Hyung-joo] Dong-gu, Gwangju (Mayor Im Taek) announced on the 15th that it will actively promote the ‘Fountain of Light’ project to create the 5·18 Democracy Square at the National Asia Culture Center into a world-class historical and cultural plaza and revitalize nighttime urban tourism in the entire center area.

Dong-gu recently selected an implementing company to build the ‘Culture Center Nightscape Foundation Project’ as a cultural resource that resonates with citizens, and plans to officially proceed with the project aiming for its opening in March next year, starting with a kickoff meeting held on the 14th.

The ‘Culture Center Nightscape Foundation Project’ is one of Dong-gu’s key initiatives to promote Gwangju as a ‘City of Democracy, Human Rights, and Peace’ by utilizing media art around the fountain area of the 5·18 Democracy Square and to widely publicize the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Movement globally.

Dong-gu has made efforts to develop the 5·18 Democracy Square into a world-renowned historical landmark through close consultations with institutions and organizations related to the May 18 Democratic Movement, including ▲signing MOUs with nine related institutions and organizations ▲securing 4 billion KRW in national and city funds.

With full support from National Assembly member Lee Byung-hoon and Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop, the project budget for the ‘Fountain of Light’ was secured, and the project plan reflecting the May 18 organizations’ demand to preserve the original form of the fountain, a May 18 historic site, passed the review of the May 18 Memorial Project Committee, giving momentum to the project.

This plan by Dong-gu aligns with Gwangju’s reputation as the world’s fourth UNESCO-designated ‘Media Art Creative City’ and aims to enhance its brand value as a city centered on history and cultural industries related to media art and the May democracy spirit, firmly establishing its status as a global art city and cultural hub.

Accordingly, the ‘Fountain of Light’ will feature the theme of the ‘torch’ carried by Gwangju citizens who wished for democracy during the May 18 Democratic Movement, with participation from world-renowned media art artists.

Media art experts agree that the National Asia Culture Center and the 5·18 Democracy Square-centered center area not only have the optimal suitability for media art spatial composition but also, as Dong-gu is a region with accumulated cultural capabilities, it is the best location for the nightscape foundation project, raising high expectations for success.

By the end of the year, Dong-gu plans to concretize contemporaneity with world-class artworks by collaborating with capable general planners, media art artists, and various other artists, while also holding public hearings involving May 18 organizations and civic groups.

Furthermore, the successful promotion of this project will be linked to follow-up projects such as the ‘Light Fortress’ and will develop essential nighttime urban tourism courses to evolve into stay-type tourism, revitalizing the surrounding local economy.

Im Taek, Mayor of Dong-gu, said, “If the fountain at the 5·18 Democracy Square, an important historic site symbolizing Gwangju’s identity, is developed into the ‘Fountain of Light,’ it is expected to become a landmark representing Gwangju,” adding, “We will do our best to transform the 5·18 Democracy Square area into a world-class historical and cultural plaza through close cooperation with Gwangju City, May 18 organizations, and civic groups.”

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