5.18 Memorial Hall Extends Hours Into the Night: "Gwangju in May, Revisited Through Records"

Special Opening on Regular Closed Day
Extended Evening Hours During Memorial Week

Some people head to the cemetery, while others walk along Geumnam-ro. Still others pause in front of old black-and-white photographs. Torn banners, citizens clenching their fists, hastily written diaries, and testimonies from those whose names are unknown—Gwangju in May 1980 remains preserved in these records, continuing to draw people together to this day. Ahead of the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, the Gwangju 5.18 Democratic Uprising Memorial Hall will temporarily open on its usual closed day and extend its evening hours.

According to Gwangju City on May 7, the Memorial Hall will open its exhibition hall on May 11, even though it is typically closed that day. On May 16 and 17, closing hours will be extended to 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., respectively. On the anniversary itself, May 18, the hall will also be open from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. This expanded schedule aims to provide domestic and international visitors with broader access to the May 18 records, which are recognized as a UNESCO Memory of the World, and to create more opportunities for people to reflect on the significance of May.

5·18 Democratic Movement Archives. Provided by Gwangju City

Within the Memorial Hall, visitors can encounter the spirit of May in a variety of ways. In the special exhibition hall, "Gwangju 5.18: Urban Identity and Democracy" will be on display until August 16. In the video screening room, five films related to May 18—including "Kim-Gun," "Yangnim-dong Girl," and "1980, Losyon and Chauvel"—will be shown daily until May 31.

In the VR experience zone on the first basement level, visitors can use virtual reality (VR) to experience Gwangju in May 1980. On the first, second, and sixth floors, permanent exhibition halls display records and testimonies from citizens, as well as photographs and documents from the time, all related to May 18.

The Memorial Hall will also hold an academic forum titled "The History and Archive of May 18 Record Photographs" at 1:30 p.m. on May 8. Beginning May 13, a special exhibition called "May 18 Citizen Diaries: The Most Personal Resistance" will be held on the ninth floor of Jeonil Building 245.

Free exhibition guide services are also available for visitors. These can be accessed by on-site registration or advance reservation between 10:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Kim Hokyun, Director of the 5.18 Democratic Uprising Memorial Hall, stated, "I hope that more citizens will come face-to-face with the records of May 1980 and reflect on the values of that day," adding, "We will do our best to widely share the message of democracy, human rights, and peace contained in the May 18 records."

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