Gurye-gun, Take a Rest in the Forest: 'Jirisan Historical Journey'

Theory and Field Learning Combined, Satisfaction Increased with Enriching Programs Including Experiential Activities

Jirisan History and Culture Center Successfully Concludes Nationwide Teacher Training with 54 Participants

[Gurye=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yuk Miseok] Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Kim Sun-ho) announced that the Jirisan History and Culture Center’s nationwide teacher training program, conducted again this year, was completed with high satisfaction from trainees over two sessions: the 1st session from August 11 to August 12, and the 2nd session from August 18 to August 19.

This training was held under the title “Resting in the Forest, Jirisan History Travel” for 54 elementary, middle, and high school teachers nationwide, after being designated as a special field training institution by the Jeollanam-do Office of Education in February this year.

Specialized lecturers on Jirisan’s history, culture, ecology, and local literature were invited to provide theoretical lectures on Jirisan’s myths and vivid historical site visits. The program aimed to deepen understanding of the lives of intellectuals who lived intensely under the foothills of Jirisan and to structure the training content to be applicable and helpful in frontline educational settings.

The detailed training content included ▲ Legends and beliefs of Jirisan where the North Star Taeulshin resides ▲ The scholarship and life of Maechon Hwang Hyun ▲ National spirit education of Gurye intellectuals ▲ Jirisan’s natural ecology and garden culture.

Among these, the scholarship and life of Maechon Hwang Hyun and the national spirit education of Gurye intellectuals involved visiting the Jirisan History and Culture Center’s 2nd and 3rd exhibition halls, which feature exhibitions on Jirisan’s history and Maechon Hwang Hyun, followed by visits to Hoyang School in Gwangui-myeon and Maechonsa Temple, combining theory with field practice.

Additionally, participants visited Ssangsanjae, the filming location of tvN’s Youn’s Stay, and Gurye Arboretum, a public arboretum, and enjoyed a healing time through a woodworking experience making snack trays at the Gurye Wood Culture Experience Center.

Teachers expressed their appreciation and encouragement after completing the training, saying, “It was a fruitful training that showed the pride of Gurye, allowing us to once again reflect on the history of Jirisan and the national spirit of the intellectuals who lived beneath it.”

The Gurye Jirisan History and Culture Center reopened on October 12, 2021, and consists of ▲ Hall 1: Old photos of Gurye along the river and exhibitions of old farming tools ▲ Hall 2: Exhibitions on Jirisan and Gurye, Gurye’s history, the Donghak Peasant Revolution, the Japanese invasions of 1592, and the Battle of Seokjugwan ▲ Hall 3: Maechon Hwang Hyun’s room, children’s experience exhibitions, and more.

Recently, the center has attracted over 13,000 visitors this year alone through various programs such as traditional play experiences and nostalgic busking performances.

Gurye=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yuk Miseok hss79@asiae.co.kr

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