Jungnang-gu Hosts Gyeomjae Book Street Festival with Cherry Blossoms... Mapo-gu Resumes Operation of Hongdae Outdoor Venue, the 'Busking Sanctuary'

[Seoul District News] Jungnang-gu to Host Gyeomjae Book Street Festival at Jungnangcheon Gyeomjae Small Library Area on April 2-3 · Cherry Blossom Outing with Books and Music Concept · Featuring 16 Experience Booths, Book Camping Playground, Book Exhibitions, Busking Festival, Book Exchange, Family Musical... Mapo-gu Submits Plans for Outdoor Exhibition Zone, Plaza Stage, Travel Stage, Meeting Plaza to District Tourism Department ... Gwangjin-gu Completes New Complex Building with Public Library in Gunja-dong ... Gangbuk-gu Holds Opening Ceremony for 21st Dasan Academy... Jung-gu

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi) will hold the Gyeomjae Book Street Festival over two days from April 2 to 3 around Jungnangcheon Gyeomjae Small Library.

The Gyeomjae Book Street Festival is a representative local 'spring book festival' enjoyed by walking along the cherry blossom path on the embankment of Jungnangcheon, marking its 4th year this year. The district planned the festival with the concept of a cherry blossom outing combined with books and music, allowing residents to experience unique book-related activities.

At the festival, visitors can explore 16 experience booths offering various programs such as drawing bookmarks, making reading journals, relay novel writing, and letter writing. The book camping space, designed with a camping site concept, provides a comfortable reading environment.

Five public libraries participate, showcasing a book curation exhibition with diverse themes, alongside a busking festival featuring local cultural artists, Jungnang Artists, creating a musical atmosphere at the festival site.

On April 2, the 2113 Book Exchange Event will be held on a nearby walking trail, where individuals can exchange up to three books by trading two used books for one new book. This event aims to increase interest in reading activities by sharing books that have been resting on shelves with neighbors.

Also on the same day, the Jungnang-gu Office basement auditorium will present the family musical "My Dad is the Best," based on the bestseller by world-renowned picture book author Anthony Brown.

Pre-registration is open for 200 people on a first-come, first-served basis via the Jungnang-gu Office website, and the performance will be simultaneously streamed on the official Jungnang-gu Office YouTube channel.

Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi of Jungnang-gu said, "I hope families can spend joyful time reading books at the Book Street Festival on this warm spring day," adding, "We will continue to do our best to create an environment where more residents can enjoy the pleasure of reading."

The outdoor performance venue at Hongdae Walking Street, known as the holy ground for busking, which had been closed due to COVID-19, is reopening. It has been 1 year and 4 months since the outdoor venue was closed following the elevation of social distancing to level 2 in November 2020.

Mapo-gu (Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun) announced that this measure follows the revised quarantine guidelines in March allowing events with up to 300 people as part of the phased return to normal life.

Cultural artists who lost their performance stages during the COVID-19 period and merchants near Hongdae suffering from the stagnant local economy welcome this move by Mapo-gu.

Hongdae Walking Street consists of five zones: ▲Busking Zone ▲Outdoor Exhibition Zone ▲Plaza Stage ▲Travel Stage ▲Meeting Plaza, and is a representative tourist destination in Mapo-gu frequented by many young people and tourists.

Among these, the Busking Zone allows performances for up to 2 hours per day after prior reservation and approval through the 'Culture & Tourism > Busking' menu on the Mapo-gu Office website.

Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis starting from the 20th of the month prior to the desired date. Applications for April performances open on March 30. For the Outdoor Exhibition Zone, Plaza Stage, Travel Stage, and Meeting Plaza, submitting exhibition/performance/event plans to the Tourism Division of Mapo-gu Office 7 to 30 days before the event and obtaining department approval is required.

The district plans to conduct a trial operation of the outdoor performance venue from March 30 to 31 and officially operate it from April. However, considering the ongoing spread of COVID-19, only Busking Zone 1 and Busking Zone 3 out of the four busking zones will be available. All users must independently deploy personnel for safety, quarantine, and order management and comply with COVID-19 prevention guidelines.

Meanwhile, the district will carry out environmental maintenance of facilities such as Hongdae Walking Street to create a clean and safe street performance culture. Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun of Mapo-gu said, "We know many people have been waiting for the reopening of the Hongdae Walking Street outdoor performance venue," adding, "We will thoroughly manage quarantine and spare no effort in supporting culture and arts to transform Hongdae into a vibrant place once again."

Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Seon-gap) has opened the Gunja-dong Complex Office Building, which combines administrative functions with cultural and welfare facilities.

The existing Gunja-dong Community Center, built in 1982, was an aging building over 40 years old with limited space, causing many inconveniences in providing administrative services to residents. Additionally, the lack of cultural and welfare facilities in Gunja-dong made it difficult to meet the diverse needs of the local community.

To contribute to the welfare of local residents, the district completed the Gunja-dong Complex Office Building, housing both the community center and a library, and held an opening ceremony on the 30th.

The opening ceremony was attended by Mayor Kim Seon-gap of Gwangjin-gu, members of the National Assembly, the chairperson of the district council, city and district council members, key guests, heads of Gunja-dong organizations, and residents. Attendees participated in the plaque unveiling and ribbon-cutting ceremony and toured the facility.

The Gunja-dong Complex Office Building spans 2 basement floors and 5 above-ground floors with a total floor area of 2,997.12㎡ (approximately 906.6 pyeong), about five times larger than the previous building (611.2㎡). Parking spaces for residents visiting for civil affairs are provided on basement levels 1 and 2.

The first floor houses a public library for local residents' reading activities, containing about 10,000 books and 60 seats.

Additionally, lecture rooms are included to host various educational and cultural programs in the future.

The second floor serves as the community center, designed to provide residents with a comfortable environment for administrative and civil affairs. The third floor contains lecture rooms and a residents' autonomy center, offering opportunities for cultural life through community center programs. The fourth floor includes a large auditorium, the fifth floor a multipurpose room, and a rooftop garden planned as a communication space for residents.

Yoon Seok-hee (49), who visited the new Gunja-dong office, said, "The old community center was cramped and lacked parking, making it inconvenient to use, but the new building is spacious and even has an elevator, making it much more comfortable. Especially, I am happy that a public library was added, so I can enjoy reading with my children without going far."

Mayor Kim Seon-gap of Gwangjin-gu said, "The new Gunja-dong building is designed as an 'open building for residents,' with spaces such as a library and multipurpose room dedicated to residents," adding, "It is expected to serve as a hub for the local community by integrating culture, welfare, and administration in one place."

The district is promoting the construction of new community centers to enhance resident convenience and local value. Following the opening of Guui 1-dong Community Center in 2019, Guui 2-dong Community Center is scheduled for completion in August 2023, and construction of the Gwangjang-dong Community Center is underway.

Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Park Gyeom-su) held the opening ceremony of the 21st Dasan Academy on the 29th at the lifelong learning center Modu Madang (145 Ohyeon-ro, Gangbuk-gu), with students gathered to learn life wisdom through the scholarship and philosophy of Dasan Jeong Yak-yong.

Dasan Academy is a representative specialized program of Gangbuk-gu established in 2012 to provide residents with practical wisdom to adapt to rapidly changing society through the life and Silhak (practical learning) philosophy of Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, the first Korean registered as a UNESCO World Commemorative Figure. It also offers opportunities to cultivate expertise in various fields such as economics and literature.

The opening ceremony proceeded with greetings from Mayor Park Gyeom-su of Gangbuk-gu and Kang In, president of Seoul Cyber University, followed by a special lecture titled "The Life and Thought of Dasan Jeong Yak-yong" by Park Seok-mu, chairman of the Dasan Research Institute, and an orientation session.

This 21st session will run for 12 weeks until June 14, covering topics such as "Dasan Thinking about Livelihood and Economy," "Dasan Seeking Community Development Plans," "Dasan's Spirit of Caring for the People through Welfare Issues," and "Characteristics and Meaning of Dasan Literature." In addition to 10 theory classes, two field trips to sites related to Dasan (茶山) will be conducted. However, the schedule and location may change depending on the COVID-19 situation.

Since its first session in 2011, a total of 1,081 residents have taken the Dasan Academy, which is highly rated for its excellent instructors and quality education.

Moreover, students actively contribute to social service through the alumni association "Dasan Spirit Practice Society," formed in 2014, engaging in Dasan research and community development volunteer activities.

Mayor Park Gyeom-su of Gangbuk-gu said, "The philosophy of Dasan (茶山) Jeong Yak-yong provides us with wisdom, vitality, and courage to overcome difficulties during hard times," adding, "I hope many residents seeking vitality in life will participate and find a great opportunity to realize their life dreams."

Jung-gu (Mayor Seo Yang-ho) is operating various reading culture programs at local libraries including Son Ki-jeong Cultural Library to welcome spring.

First, diverse lectures useful in daily life have been prepared. Sindang Nuri Library has been running a program titled "Easy Smartphone Photo and Video Editing" for those aged 50 and above since the 21st. The program is held every Monday at 10 a.m., covering understanding the basic camera app functions on smartphones, photo and video editing, and creating personalized videos. The lectures will continue until June 13.

Additionally, on the 18th, Sindang Nuri Library invited about 70 parents to the 5th-floor auditorium for a program called "Sex Education for Our Children with Dr. Son Kyung-yi." Dr. Son, who participated as a lecturer, gave a two-hour lecture on "Relationship Sensitivity According to Contemporary Values," emphasizing the importance of gender-equal attitudes parents should have toward their children, receiving great response.

At Son Ki-jeong Cultural Library, from the 12th to the 27th, a "Cafe Pilot Operation Program" was held, featuring coffee-related education and tasting sessions. The curriculum included "History and Current Status of Coffee, Understanding the Operation Principles of Machines and Grinders," and "Coffee Extraction, Precautions, and Flavor Evaluation Methods." On the 26th, a "Classical Ensemble: Film Music with Commentary" event was held, providing an easy-to-understand explanation alongside woodwind ensemble performances.

In April, Dasan Fortress Library plans to hold a "Book Repairer's Room" session where participants can repair old books themselves, and Jangchung-dong Small Library will open "Sugosangjeom," offering youth psychological counseling through MBTI and Enneagram. Eoullim Library will conduct "Treasure Hunt in Jung-gu Season 2," a cultural heritage tour of Jung-gu. Various lectures and events will also continue at Namsan Town Children's Library, Gaon Library, and others.

Author talk sessions (photo) will also continue. On the 19th, at Dasan Fortress Library, author Jeong So-yeon, who wrote "How to Save Myself from the World's Villains," communicated with about 20 audience members for over two hours. Jeong, also a public interest human rights lawyer, shared the motivation behind writing the essay and her thoughts on those struggling in life with the residents.

On the 26th, Jangchung-dong Small Library hosted a talk session with author Heo Pil-seon. About 20 local residents, including book club members, gathered to exchange various questions and answers about her works.

Additionally, Dasan Fortress Library will hold an author talk session on April 23. During this period, author Jae-young, who wrote "Records of a Book Repairer," will be invited to share stories about the heart of someone who repairs treasured books kept for a long time and life with books. Registration is open from the 5th to the 20th of next month.

A festival stage where children can freely showcase their talents is opening.

Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Noh Hyun-song) is recruiting children to participate in the Children's Talent Contest to be held online on May 4.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Children's Talent Contest was established to provide children with opportunities to express their hidden artistic potential and creativity.

Especially, following last year, this year's event will also be held through online platforms such as YouTube and the Gangseo-gu Children's District Office website to ensure children can safely and freely showcase their talents amid COVID-19.

The contest will be held in three categories: ▲Singing Children's Songs ▲Drawing ▲Creative Writing, allowing children to display their talents in their preferred field.

First, the children's song singing category targets elementary school students in the region. Without individual applications, schools can register up to three participants (teams) on a first-come, first-served basis, with a total of 40 participants (teams). To prevent COVID-19 spread, each team is limited to a maximum of three members.

Schools wishing to participate should submit the application form and singing video file via email to the person in charge from April 1 to 29. Submitted videos will be broadcast on May 4, the contest day, through Gangseo-gu's official YouTube channel, iGangseoTV.

The district will select a total of 15 winners among participants (teams) through judging by three experts recommended by the Korea Children's Song Association on May 13.

The drawing and creative writing categories are open to preschoolers and elementary school students in the region.

Applications can be submitted by mail, email, or through the district website from April 1 to 29. The themes for drawing and creative writing will be announced on the contest day at 1:30 p.m. via YouTube (iGangseoTV).

Drawings must be completed and photographed by 6 p.m. on the contest day and submitted with personal information via email to the person in charge. The original artwork must be mailed or delivered in person by May 11. Creative writing should be submitted online via the district website bulletin board by the contest end time.

Judging will be conducted on May 13 by three experts recommended by the Gangseo Cultural Center for each category. Forty winners will be selected for drawing and 15 for creative writing.

Winners will be announced on May 19 on the Gangseo-gu Children's District Office website, and an awards ceremony will be held at the district office on May 31. To prevent COVID-19 spread, certificates signed by the mayor will be awarded only to grand prize winners at the ceremony, while other winners will receive certificates by mail.

The district plans to publish a collection of winning works after the event and distribute it to winners, daycare centers, kindergartens, schools, and public institutions.

A district official said, "In celebration of Youth Month in May, we prepared a time for children to be the main characters and showcase their talents and creativity," adding, "We look forward to the enthusiastic participation of Gangseo's young talents with dreams and passion."

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