Gimhae 2024 East Asia Cultural City Slogan, 'Geumbada (Golden Sea), Knocking on Asia'

The event slogan for Gimhae City, Gyeongnam Province, designated as the 2024 East Asian Cultural City, has been finalized.

According to the city on the 27th, the confirmed slogan is "Geumbada (金海), Knocking on Asia," which carries the meaning of continuing the legacy of Gaya, which actively engaged in maritime exchanges during the Iron Age, and once again opening the door to Asia and moving forward.

The word "knocking" contains a double meaning, referring both to the iron forging technology and the act of opening a door.

Previously, the city held a nationwide contest to select the slogan.

Out of a total of 413 submissions, the final slogan was selected through internal review, employee preference surveys, the East Asian Cultural City Promotion Committee's evaluation, and public verification of the candidates.

▲The grand prize winner is the slogan "Geumbada (金海), Knocking on Asia." ▲The excellence awards went to "Radiant Gaya, Shining Gimhae! Illuminating East Asia" and "Gimhae Shining with Culture, East Asia Blooming with Peace." ▲The encouragement awards were given to "The Wave of East Asian Culture, Connecting to Gaya Royal City Gimhae" and "Gaya Royal City Gimhae, Blooming with East Asian Culture!"

The 2024 East Asia Cultural City Proclamation Ceremony is taking place.
[Photo by Gimhae City Hall]

The East Asian Cultural City project began in 2014 following an agreement at the Korea-China-Japan Cultural Ministers' Meeting in May 2012. Each year, one city from each country is selected as an East Asian Cultural City to promote cultural and artistic cooperation and exchange for one year.

Gimhae City officially received its certification plaque and was declared the host city of the 2024 East Asian Cultural City at the 14th Korea-China-Japan Cultural Ministers' Meeting held on the 8th at the National Intangible Heritage Center in Jeonju.

The 2024 East Asian Cultural Cities are Gimhae in Korea, Weifang City (?坊市) and Dalian City (大?市) in China, and Ishikawa Prefecture (石川?) in Japan.

Starting with the opening ceremony in April next year, the city plans to promote various major projects such as the International Sculpture Festa, the Korea-China-Japan Character Special Exhibition, and the Korea-China-Japan String Festival, as well as utilize existing representative local festivals and events like the Gaya Cultural Festival.

The city also plans to coordinate with the National Sports Festival, the Year of Visiting Gimhae, and related promotions, projects, and timing to maximize synergy effects.

Mayor Hong Tae-yong expressed gratitude for the interest shown in the slogan contest and stated, "We will ensure that the East Asian Cultural City project continues to be a citizen-led initiative. As the slogan implies, we will strive to revive the legacy of Gaya, an international exchange city that flourished during the Iron Age."

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