"Children Dream Today and Tomorrow"

As the Children's Day festivities came to a close and children made their way home, balloons in hand and butterflies painted on their faces from the workshop seemed to flutter with every step. The robots, drones, music, and laughter they experienced today will one day become seeds for the world they themselves will create.

Children's Day is, therefore, a gift for adults as well. In the eyes of children, adults rediscover hope that the world can still be a beautiful place. Since the day first declared by Bang Jeong-hwan in 1922, Children's Day has been a promise and pledge from adults to build a world where children are respected and can dream. On May 5, marking the 104th Children's Day, that promise was brought to life through laughter and emotion across Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province.

Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province successfully held the 'Children's Day Grand Festival' on the 5th at the Children's Creative Experience Center. Photo by Jeonbuk Autonomous Province

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On this day, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province successfully held the 'Children's Day Grand Festival' at the Children's Creative Experience Center. Children and families joined hands in an event filled with creativity, hands-on experiences, and laughter, creating unforgettable memories to last a lifetime.

The festival opened with a pure and harmonious performance by the Jeonbuk Children's Korean Traditional Orchestra. The children’s eyes sparkled with excitement as they moved to the rhythms of traditional Korean music. Following this, a commemorative speech by Governor Kim Kwan-young and a congratulatory address by Lee Myung-yeon, Vice Chairman of the Jeonbuk Provincial Council, delivered heartfelt encouragement and support to the children.

The most touching moment of the day was when four children took to the stage to read the Children's Rights Charter. Though their voices were small, their words were clear and resolute, moving every adult in attendance as the children confidently asserted their rights. This segment, where children themselves reflected on the importance of child rights, was undoubtedly the highlight of the day.

This year’s grand festival featured a total of six themed zones and 67 hands-on programs, including: EnjoyGO (cooperative cup stacking, ping-pong ball bingo, etc.), DreamGO (TurtleBot maze escape, robot marine rescue team, augmented reality experiences, etc.), ExperienceGO (permanent experiential facilities), LaughGO (stilt walkers, face painting workshops, etc.), LearnGO (programs by related organizations), and WatchGO (musical gala shows, puppet plays, magic performances, etc.). Wherever one went, the laughter and exclamations of children were constant.

For this event, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province implemented a thorough safety management system, including prior facility safety inspections, deployment of safety personnel and ambulances, participant limits at each booth, and contingency plans for rain, ensuring a safe environment where children could play freely and without worry.

Governor Kim Kwan-young stated, "Let’s work together to make Jeonbuk a place where children can happily play and grow their dreams," adding, "The provincial government will do its utmost to support all children so they can grow into the leaders of the future."

On the 5th, Wanju County held a grand opening and celebrated Children's Day Festival with a dazzling drone magic show at the county office Eoulrim Square. Photo by Wanju County Office

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Wanju County, recognized as a child-friendly city, also held a vibrant Children's Day Grand Festival under the theme 'Jump in Wanju (JUMP)! Toward a New Future.'

The festival, which opened spectacularly with a drone magic show at the Wanju County Office Eoullim Square, went beyond a simple play festival by integrating cutting-edge AI technology with the promotion of child rights, further elevating Wanju’s status as a center for children and youth.

In one corner of the outdoor plaza, the 'Wanju-Wish Tree' grew as children hung notes expressing their hopes and dreams. Each colorful wish-whether to become a doctor, astronaut, firefighter, or simply "I want to be the world's best mom"-tugged at the hearts of all who passed by. In the 'Time Travel Play Zone' and 'Campnic Zone,' families shared nostalgic games from the parents' generation, fostering warm bonds that transcended generations.

Future technology experience programs also captivated the children. They practiced physical balance with AI-based horseback riding machines, operated self-driving cars and AI robotic arms, and exclaimed "I want to be a scientist too!" throughout the venue. 3D printing demonstrations, drone flight showcases, and hydrogen energy bus experiences further transformed the Wanju County Office Plaza into a space where the imagination of the next generation could truly take flight.

Additionally, the event offered psychological counseling and activities to raise awareness of children's rights, helping children understand their rights and grow up healthy, creating a space for mature citizen education. Notably, Wanju County incorporated the 'Talent Show,' directly proposed by children, into the children's participation budget, allowing 11 teams of children and youth to showcase their talents in dance and band performances on the outdoor stage. The passion and confidence radiating from the children on stage stood out as the brightest gift left by the festival.

Acting County Governor Lee Jong-hoon said, "This festival was carefully prepared to help Wanju’s children jump even higher, beyond any limits," adding, "I hope the bright smiles and passion shown by the children today will become the driving force for a new future."

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