Patriotic Veterans Festival at Mapo-gu Red Road... Gratitude to Patriotic Heroes

June 1st, 2nd Mapo-gu Patriotism and Veterans Appreciation Festival Held at Hongdae Red Road R5~R6
Various Side Events Including Patriotism Memorial Ceremony, Military Band Parade, Experience and Exhibition Booths, and Celebration Performances
Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu: "All Generations Must Remember Those Who Dedicated Themselves to the Freedom and Peace of the Republic of Korea"

Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Gang-su) will hold the ‘Patriotic Veterans Appreciation Festival’ on June 1st in the Hongdae Red Road area from R5 to R6 to commemorate June, the Month of Patriots and Veterans.

Now in its second year following last year, the Patriotic Veterans Appreciation Festival is themed ‘Happy to Be With You’ and is organized to honor veterans who have dedicated themselves to the country and to express gratitude for their noble sacrifices.

This year’s festival will run from 1 PM to 5 PM on the 1st, featuring a patriotic veterans memorial ceremony, cultural performances, and various side events, allowing all generations?from children to youth and adults?to enjoy and engage with patriotic culture.

Especially this year, at Hongdae Red Road, a popular spot for people in their teens and twenties, the Youth Culture House and Our Neighborhood Care Center have prepared various youth participation programs, providing a chance for the younger generation to reflect on the history and meaning of patriotism.

Experience booths operated by nine organizations including the Seoul Regional Veterans Office and Mapo Senior Club will offer fascinating content such as AI-based recreations of veterans’ past appearances and patriotic education incorporating augmented reality technology.

Additionally, events that families with children can enjoy will include ▲Patriotic Veterans-themed DIY crafts ▲3D pen country love image making ▲BB pellet shooting experience ▲combat ration tasting ▲patriotic veterans face painting, among others.

Exhibition booths will feature ▲interview videos of Korean War veterans ▲a traveling exhibition from the Independence Hall ▲military equipment displays from the Army’s 3537th Unit, 1st Battalion. Also, 31 drawings by children who won awards in the Patriotic Veterans Appreciation Festival contest will be exhibited at the Red Road Gallery.

The patriotic veterans memorial ceremony starting at 3 PM will open with a vigorous military band parade by the Capital Defense Command’s 56th Infantry Division. Following the presentation of appreciation plaques to organizations and individuals contributing to the spread of patriotic culture, awards will be given to eight winners of the festival contest, along with a reading of the grand prize-winning essay.

The event will conclude with a harmonious stage featuring popular singers such as Kwon In-ha, Kim Heung-guk, and Dignity, bringing together all attendees in celebration.

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, “The freedom and peace we enjoy today exist thanks to the dedication and sacrifice of national veterans and their families who served Korea. Mapo-gu will do its best to honor veterans and foster an environment that raises awareness of the value of patriotism through the Patriotic Veterans Appreciation Festival.”

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