Opening of Geumcheon Cultural Artists Community Space ‘Mancheonmyeongwol Yesulinga’

[Seoul District News] Geumcheon-gu, Hub Space for Local Artists and Various Artist Support Projects & Opening Event on December 1 Starts 6-Month Pilot Operation... Guro-gu Opens ‘Gaebong 1-dong Yangsongi Senior Center’ and ‘Cafe Gaebong’... Gwangjin-gu Improves Facilities at Hwayang-dong Public Parking Lot and Hana-reum Park Public Restrooms

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yu Seong-hoon) announced that the artist community space supporting the creative activities of artists in Geumcheon-gu, ‘Mancheonmyeongwol Yesulinga,’ will open on December 1.

Located in Siheung-dong, Geumcheon-gu, ‘Mancheonmyeongwol Yesulinga’ is a name combining two words: Mancheonmyeongwol, meaning ‘bright moon reflected on ten thousand fabrics,’ and Yesulinga, meaning ‘artist’s space.’ The name was selected reflecting the opinions of cultural artists active in Geumcheon-gu.

‘Mancheonmyeongwol’ is a pen name King Jeongjo gave himself, embodying his philosophy of benevolence. It also reflects the historical characteristics of the space located on Eunhaengnamu-ro in Siheung-dong, the site of the old Siheung Haenggung Palace.

Mancheonmyeongwol Yesulinga is an artist hub space spanning from basement level 1 to the 4th floor, equipped with artist networking and meeting rooms, a shared kitchen, and small practice rooms. Starting with the opening ceremony on December 1, it will operate as a collaborative space with local artists through a six-month pilot operation.

In addition to providing space support for artists, various support projects such as legal consultations and network salon meetings are also being prepared. Cultural artists active in Geumcheon-gu can use the space free of charge by simply joining the artist membership.

At the opening event, special performances will be presented by Wang Gi-cheol, the principal and master singer of the National Traditional Arts Middle and High School located in Geumcheon-gu, and his brother Wang Gi-seok, master singer and director of the National Gugak Center. A district-wide lighting ceremony involving everyone will also take place.

Yu Seong-hoon, Mayor of Geumcheon-gu, said, “Mancheonmyeongwol Yesulinga will play various roles in creating an artistic environment in Geumcheon. We hope that countless artworks will bloom here and reach the residents of Geumcheon-gu with diverse art.”

Guro-gu (Mayor Moon Heon-il) held opening ceremonies for ‘Gaebong 1-dong Yangsongyi Senior Center’ and ‘Cafe Gaebong’ on the 25th.

Guro-gu announced on the 28th, “We have opened ‘Gaebong 1-dong Yangsongyi Senior Center and Cafe Gaebong,’ which combines a resting space for seniors and job creation opportunities, and have begun full-scale operations.”

There had been continuous requests for the establishment of a senior center in the densely populated residential area near Gaebong Middle School.

In response, Guro-gu purchased the building last year and, after safety inspections and design procedures, carried out remodeling work for about four months from July to November.

The senior center and cafe were created at 48-11 Gocheok-ro 21ga-gil, with a total floor area of 139.3㎡ and two above-ground floors. The senior center on the first floor covers 79.6㎡ and includes facilities such as a grandfather’s room, grandmother’s room, living room, kitchen, and restroom.

The cafe is located on both the first and second floors. As part of the Guro Senior Club job project, seniors take turns working here, directly preparing and selling beverages. Regular training such as orientation, safety education, and job training is also provided for the working seniors.

The opening ceremony on the 25th was attended by Mayor Moon Heon-il, Guro-gu Council Vice Chairman Kim Young-gon, Council Member Kim Mi-joo, Ham Tae-ho, president of the Korean Senior Citizens Association Guro Branch, senior center members, and residents. The event proceeded with ▲opening declaration and guest introductions ▲greetings ▲guest congratulatory speeches ▲facility tour and plaque unveiling ▲commemorative photo session ▲closing.

The senior center and cafe began full operations with the opening ceremony. Currently, 57 members have been recruited for the senior center, and the election of the president and executives has been completed after a general meeting.

A Guro-gu official said, “Having both the senior center and cafe together is expected to create a comfortable resting place and communication space. We will continue to strive to expand and improve senior center facilities so that seniors can enjoy their leisure time.”

Jin-gu (Mayor Kim Kyung-ho) renovated the aging public parking lot in Hwayang-dong and the public restroom in Hana-reum Park to provide a safe and convenient residential environment.

The area around Gunja-ro 3-gil in Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, is home to a 700-year-old zelkova tree designated as Seoul Monument No. 2. It was formed as a pleasant residential area and alleyways in the 1980s but recently required environmental improvements due to aging buildings and illegal parking.

Accordingly, the district applied for the alleyway regeneration project in 2020, securing 1.1 billion KRW from city and district funds, and began full-scale alleyway regeneration projects including establishing an execution plan last year.

The renovated Hwayang-dong public parking lot was freshly painted inside and out, with the old floor replaced to be clean and safe. Aging facilities and signboards were replaced, focusing on preventing accidents and crimes in the public parking lot.

The Hana-reum Park public restroom underwent interior and exterior remodeling, upgrading from a traditional restroom to a flush toilet. Heating equipment was replaced, and a safety emergency bell was installed so that residents using the park can use the restroom safely and conveniently.

Prior to this, the district promoted phased improvements in the Hwayang-dong alleyway regeneration project, including alley paving, installation of smart security lights, replacement of alley commercial signs, and village guide signs. The renovation of the public parking lot and park restroom completed the transformation of the Hwayang-dong alleyways.

Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, said, “The district is doing its best to actively improve aging areas and provide residents with a safe and happy living environment. We will continue to listen to residents’ voices and propose and implement various development plans such as low-rise residential reconstruction and redevelopment and small-scale housing maintenance projects to improve the residential environment.”

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