Gwangju Dong-gu "Connected to the World!" Chungjang World Festival Hits Big Success

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] Dong-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 17th that the ‘19th Nostalgic Gwangju Chungjang World Festival,’ held from the 13th to the 17th, opened a new chapter of a high-quality global festival thanks to the success of globalization programs such as the ‘Buskers World Cup.’

The Gwangju Chungjang World Festival, under the theme ‘My Memory is Like a Movie,’ was held for five days across Dong-gu, including the May 18 Democracy Square, the National Asian Culture Complex, and Geumnam-ro, attracting an estimated 600,000 visitors according to the police.

As a result, it is evaluated as having established itself as a leading model of a ‘world-class urban street newtro cultural arts festival’ that embraces not only Korea but the world.

◆The Entire Downtown as a Festival Venue... Waves of Memories and Movies

Returning after three years with all programs upgraded, the Chungjang World Festival made it clear that the entire downtown was the festival site. The Chungjang-ro and Geumnam-ro areas, representative old downtown areas of Gwangju, were closed to vehicles and filled daily with hundreds of thousands of people. Various experiential and exhibition events themed around ‘memory’ and ‘movies’ stimulated nostalgia among the 70s and 80s generations while sparking curiosity among the MZ generation.

Especially during the weekend of the 15th and 16th, various performances held on the main stage at May 18 Democracy Square, including the ‘Chungjang World Parade,’ the global audition ‘Buskers World Cup IN Gwangju,’ the ‘Nostalgic Theme Street,’ the ‘Nostalgic DJ Cafe,’ and the ‘World Food & Culture Festival,’ were bustling with visitors. With a sharp increase in families visiting the festival site, the entire downtown once again became a stage for the festival, with many participating in various experiential programs such as nostalgic reunions, shining graduation ceremonies, nostalgic treasure hunts, nostalgic dance halls, and art markets.

◆We Are One! A Festival of Global Harmony

This year, as it transformed into a global festival enjoyed by people worldwide, globalization was added to all programs. The existing parade, known as the ‘flower of the festival,’ was reborn as the ‘Chungjang World Parade.’ Over two days, from the 15th to the 16th, the approximately 1.5 km route from Gwangju Jeil High School to Geumnam-ro Park to Jeonil Building 245 resembled unforgettable iconic movie scenes brought to life. The world parade, paying homage to movies such as ‘Taxi Driver,’ ‘Avengers,’ ‘Squid Game,’ ‘La La Land,’ ‘Frozen,’ and ‘Avatar,’ was a stage for participant unity.

In particular, the ‘Chungjang World Parade,’ created by about 5,000 people including overseas artists from Italy, Hungary, and Cuba, 13 neighborhood residents, Gwangju citizens, clubs, and organizations, drew cheers and applause from spectators. Unique performances during the parade, such as the quirky Taekwondo choreography, Ssangchae Buk dance, Chosun University Taekwondo demonstration team, and Pungmul group Gulrim, offered diverse attractions to domestic and international audiences.

Also, the newly introduced ‘World Food & Culture Festival’ booths were packed daily. The World Food Experience Zone, selling dishes from over 20 countries, and the World Culture Experience Zone, offering traditional cultural experiences and traditional goods from 15 countries, were so crowded that there was barely room to move. Visitors unanimously expressed high satisfaction, saying, “We could truly feel the transformation of the Chungjang World Festival into a global festival.”

◆The Nation’s Largest Global Audition ‘Buskers World Cup’

The festival’s killer content, the ‘1st Busker World Cup IN Gwangju,’ marked the grand finale. Starting from the recruitment announcement in May, through the first and second preliminary rounds and the first to third main rounds, the five-month journey concluded with the final stage held on the 17th at May 18 Democracy Square. Musicians who participated in the ten days of competition from the welcoming event on the 7th to the 17th praised it as “the best experience and the best stage.”

In addition to the ‘Buskers World Cup’ competition, domestic and international musicians performed impressive busking stages throughout the downtown, captivating citizens and tourists. The Manso Mu?eco trio from Argentina said, “We have performed on many stages worldwide during 15 years of busking, but this was our first time participating in such a large festival. It was a very meaningful experience, and we are extremely satisfied.”

◆Local Commercial Districts Buzzing... Forgetting COVID-19 Worries

The five days brought relief to small business owners, self-employed individuals, and local cultural artists who had suffered greatly from the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. Various side events that revitalized these groups were held to promote coexistence and growth with the local community. From the 13th to the 16th, the ‘2022 Chungjang Renaissance, Raon Festa’ was held in the Chungjang-ro and underground shopping districts, featuring lowest-price auctions and eco-product markets, contributing to stimulating consumption in the Chungjang-ro shopping district.

Additionally, the ‘Byeolbyeol Dong-gu Social Economy Chungjang Market,’ operated with the participation of 16 social economy enterprises in the district, and the ‘9th Mudeung Art Festival’ uniform-price sales exhibition at the Mudeung Gallery on Art Street were held. This special event exhibition, planned annually as part of the festival program, showcased about 450 works by 150 artists and sold out completely. The advantage of being able to purchase works for under 400,000 won received high praise from both participating artists and citizens.

Moreover, merchants operating taverns and flea markets using vacant stores, as well as nearby restaurant owners, all smiling broadly, said, “Thanks to the Chungjang World Festival, we have truly felt the effect to the extent that we forgot the hardships of COVID-19,” as crowds gathered in the Chungjang-ro and Geumnam-ro areas for the first time in three years.

◆700-Drone Show and Over 20,000 YouTube Views Draw Attention

The Chungjang World Festival, which attracted attention even before its opening, succeeded in promoting itself both domestically and internationally through active publicity. Among these, the ‘Fantasy Sky Light Show’ featuring 700 drones on the opening day, the 13th, and during the ‘Nostalgic Movie Music Live Performance’ on the 16th was overwhelming. The festival logo and the movie-themed movie slate images illuminated the night sky. Also, as soon as the festival footage was posted on the official YouTube channel ‘Gwangju Dong-gu,’ it surpassed 20,000 views, achieving great success.

Promotion activities through official SNS channels (Instagram, Facebook, etc.) also drew attention. The Chungjang World Festival, reborn as a global festival from the existing Chungjang Festival, was detailed through various images, card news, videos, and photos documenting on-site situations, attracting attention from the MZ generation skilled in SNS use. Additionally, young people visiting the festival posted real-time posts and reels with hashtags such as #ChungjangWorldFestival, contributing to the festival’s popularity.

◆Looking Forward to Next Year’s ‘Chungjang World Festival’ Coming of Age

This year, having differentiated itself from previous festivals and attempted various changes to create a leading model of a ‘global festival’ enjoyed by people worldwide, next year’s festival, marking its 20th anniversary, is expected to evolve into an even more advanced festival.

Based on this year’s achievements, next year plans include ▲‘Package-style urban festival’ newly establishing Gwangju’s representative festival ecosystem ▲expansion of programs such as the 2nd Buskers World Cup IN Gwangju ▲permanent operation of the Nostalgic Theme Street ▲expansion of the Buskers World Cup throughout Gwangju ▲and shaping it into a festival involving global participation.

Im Taek, Dong-gu Mayor, said, “This year’s festival was truly a global communication and harmony festival transcending generations and borders, with the theme of ‘memory’ and ‘movies,’ bringing together people of all ages, regions, and countries,” adding, “Next year, we will return with a more substantial Chungjang World Festival with richer programs so that more domestic and international visitors can stay longer and enjoy the festival.”

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