Awakening Memories in the Closet to Become History... Iksan City Holds Private Records Collection Contest

Iksan City in North Jeolla Province is reinventing itself as a "city of records."

According to Iksan City on April 15, approximately 800 records have been submitted so far to the "6th Iksan City Private Records Collection Contest," which has been underway since March 16.

Iksan Citizen History Archive. Provided by Iksan City

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This year’s contest is themed "Transfer Records: Iksan Edition - Records Encountered on the Road," with a focus on uncovering diverse traces left in the lives of citizens.

Private records refer to photographs, diaries, and everyday items kept by individuals rather than public institutions. These are meaningful in that the accumulation of daily life expands into the history of the region.

In particular, many transportation-related materials that illustrate the urban identity of Iksan were included in this contest. Old intercity bus tickets, city bus ticket booklets, and traffic police appointment certificates are considered valuable records that reveal the transportation environment and lifestyles of different eras.

The city plans to permanently record donors’ names in the "Donors’ Hall of Honor" at the Iksan Citizen History Archive, and preserve the materials in a professional storage facility with temperature and humidity controls. After a review process, 45 participants will be selected to receive a mayor's commendation and a cash prize. The collected records will be released to the public through the publication of a catalog and exhibitions.

Entries for the contest are open until May 29. Applications can be downloaded from the Iksan Citizen History Archive website and submitted by email, in person, or by mail. In addition to transportation, a wide variety of records are accepted, including those documenting the region's old landscapes, festivals, and everyday life.

Yang Kyungjin, Director of Planning and Safety for Iksan City, said, "Each citizen’s precious memories come together to complete Iksan’s great history of records. I hope that more citizens will participate in this unique experience where a small personal memory becomes the city’s official record."

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