From Seowon to Prehistoric Sites... Gwangsan-gu Steps Forward as a 'National Heritage Experience City'

Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju is operating experiential programs utilizing local national heritage sites such as seowon (Confucian academies), traditional houses, and prehistoric sites. Through five projects selected for the National Heritage Administration’s public contest, the district will offer educational programs linked to humanities, literature, prehistoric relics, and schools, expanding opportunities for citizens to enjoy national heritage.

On the 13th, Gwangsan-gu announced that it will implement five programs that were selected in the National Heritage Administration’s "Our Region’s National Heritage Utilization Project" contest.

This project was designed to combine the historical meanings and values of national heritage assets with local human and material resources, thereby broadening citizens’ opportunities to enjoy national heritage and boosting the local economy. The total project budget is 575 million won, with 234 million won from the national government, 113 million won from the city, and 228 million won from the district.

In the “Saldong de Wolbong” program operated by Wolbong Seowon in Gwangsan District, Gwangju, Lee Haksoo, an Onggi potter of Jeollanam-do intangible cultural heritage, is demonstrating Onggi pottery making. Provided by Gwangsan District

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The project utilizing hyanggyo (Confucian schools) and seowon will be centered around Wolbong Seowon and Muyang Seowon. At Wolbong Seowon, programs combining humanities and the arts will be offered under the theme "Garden of the Moon, Wolbong Seowon," including "A Day in the Life of a Scholar," humanities talks, Salon de Wolbong, the theatrical performance "Wolbong Romance," and scholarly study groups.

At Muyang Seowon, participation-based programs are prepared under the theme "Muyang in the City," utilizing the unique spatial characteristics of seowon in urban areas. These include advance house calls, Muyang Youth Scholars, Muyang Baekse Byeolgok (Songs of Hundred Years), and Muyang Danuri Sarangbang.

The program utilizing traditional houses and head family homes will take place at the birthplace of poet Yong-a and the Kim Bongho House. It consists of programs allowing participants to experience literature and traditional lifestyle, such as the immersive performance "The Four Seasons of the Poet," the literary salon classroom, and the Yong-a Children's Poet School.

The "Vivid National Heritage Project" is based on the globally significant prehistoric Sinchang-dong site. Programs such as "Sinchang-dong Time Travel 2,000 Years Ago," craft workshops, and the resident-participatory "Sinchang-dong Heritage Resident Living Team" will help communicate the value of the site to citizens.

The "Gwangsan, National Heritage Blossoms" project, aimed at revitalizing national heritage education for future generations, will also be operated. This project will visit 19 institutions, including local schools and community child centers in Gwangsan-gu, to provide educational programs tailored to students, such as the Wolbong Seowon Exploration Team and "Pungyeongjeong with Stories."

The schedule and participation methods for each program can be found on the Wolbong Seowon website and the integrated reservation system. Some programs require advance reservation.

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