Gwangju Dong-gu: “Check Out Tips for the National Heritage Night Walk”

To Be Held Around the Fortress of Light Area on April 24-25

Gwangju Dong-gu District announced on April 21 that it will host the “2026 Gwangju National Heritage Night Walk,” the city’s signature nighttime cultural festival that illuminates Gwangju’s nights with history and culture, over two days from April 24 to 25.

Front view of the Gwangju Dong-gu District Office.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the festival, which will be held under the theme “A Time Travel Connecting Gwangju’s Past, Present, and Future.” The event will offer an even more colorful and diverse array of programs. The venues will include the Gwangju Eupseong Historic Site, the former Jeonnam Provincial Government Office, and Seoseok Elementary School, each featuring unique content tailored to its area.

The festival will open at 7:00 p.m. on April 24 with a royal percussion parade at “Fortress of Light.” Following this, an original performance titled “Three Times” will feature more than 30 participants, including musical actors and a choir, who will artistically express the value of national heritage that Gwangju Night Walk has celebrated over the past decade.

Former Jeonnam Provincial Government Office Area: “Modern Architectural Heritage, A New Perspective”

Under the theme “Modern Architectural Heritage, A New Perspective,” a variety of programs will be held in the former Jeonnam Provincial Government Office area. The “Architect’s Room” exhibition will introduce the story of architect Kim Sunha, who designed the government office’s main building and conference room. Visitors can also experience architecture firsthand through the “Mini Brick Building” activity. On April 25, a special lecture by historian Choi Taesung will be held to deepen understanding of modern architectural heritage.

The Gwangju Eupseong Historic Site area, themed “Experience the Fortress in Historical Records,” will be transformed into a space combining light and hands-on activities. The 20-meter-long lantern tunnel, “Walking Together on Fortress Road,” will serve as a major photo spot, vividly recreating the scenery of the old fortress. There will be experiential programs such as “A Day in the Magistrate’s Life” and “Small Market Outside the Fortress,” as well as the “Black-and-White Gourmet” program featuring local ceremonial cuisine expert Min Kyungsook, allowing visitors to enjoy both the flavors and traditions of the Namdo region.

Seoseok Elementary School Area: “A Time Travel to School 130 Years Ago”

The Seoseok Elementary School area will recreate the scene of modern education under the theme “A Time Travel to School 130 Years Ago.” Visitors can wear old-style uniforms and experience classes in Korean, arithmetic, and music. There will also be a variety of participatory programs such as “Seoseok Doctor,” “School Bell Ding Ding Ding,” and the “Seoseok Sports Day.” The “Seoseok Album” exhibition, held in the gymnasium (Seoseokdang), will emotionally convey the school’s history through candlelight, black-and-white photos, and videos.

During the festival, a “Night Walk Currency” program will also be run. After completing missions in all three areas and collecting stamps, visitors will receive a 1,000 won voucher that can be used like cash at booths within the festival and nearby shops. In addition, Dong-gu District will hold a payback event where purchases over 20,000 won will earn a 5,000 won Onnuri gift certificate, and those who make purchases of 100,000 won or more using Donggurang Pay will have a chance to win a 50,000 won payback, encouraging both participation and spending during the festival.

An official from Dong-gu District said, “To mark the 10th anniversary, this year’s Gwangju National Heritage Night Walk has greatly enhanced the programs to allow citizens to actively participate and experience, going beyond simple viewing. We hope it will be a meaningful time for everyone to connect more closely with Gwangju’s history and culture through the distinctive content offered in each area.”

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